It is 354 days since we last heard Walking in Memphis on the mini bus but Porters new fangled Ipod has brought some real classics back to the play list. This enlivened a smooth journey to Wareham in the knowledge that the weather forecast had fluctuated like a yo-yo for a week with the latest view being that it was unlikely we would get in much cricket in the programmed three days - which was to include a Twenty20 finale at Taunton. An enjoyable meal at the Black Bear brought the card school into operation in Joe Hyde’s room and on Joe’s command the players dispersed to their own rooms. The day started with an early shower for the scorer as water penetrated the canopy of the four poster. Investigations resulted in the necessity to explain shower tray technology and it will be an early lesson on the Isle of Wight. It is reassuring that there are still some subtle song writers currently composing as Yogi Beer made his debut through the speakers on the journey to Hamworthy, delayed by an inability to actually find the ground. Hardy must have broken the tossing record by making it five out of five and for the fifth time batted. Unfortunately Hardy only lasted twenty-six minutes when he patted back a short one to be caught and bowled. James Fletcher and Gareth Tidball put on 34 when after over an hour at the crease Fletcher was caught behind for 19. Fletcher has scored 347 runs, the fifth highest season’s aggregate at 43, in his first season at 17s and can look forward to 2007. Tidball has also made a splendid impact and with Fletcher, Chappell and Benton has demonstrated the vital ingredient in two day cricket an ability to occupy the crease. Tidball soon lost Chappell but found a vital ally in Seb Benton as the pair put on 123 in 117 minutes. Had the seventeen’s two years ago been able to bat sessions they would not have been relegated and the huge success of this squad has been the application of the batters and the ability of the bowlers to bowl sides out. Benton completed his second fifty of the season off 121 balls but was trapped in front by the Muri style bowler Malik on 71. Tom Whittle, blaming the long partnership, followed in similar style not offering a shot with an early twitch by the umpire followed by an eternity as the finger was raised. Matt Thompson suffered a similar delay at the other end as Sweatman trapped him in front. 174-3 was now 191-6. Tidball was fortunately unmoved having passed his third fifty of the season in 160 balls and Eliot Acton gave him support for another 44 minutes taking the score up to 232. Tidball, who was  begining to show signs of fatigue fell at 259 having put on another 27 runs. He had batted 297 minutes facing 230 balls in scoring a county best 79. His and Benton’s innings would prove to be critical

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