This was to be Devon’s first two day game that started on a Sunday and with it major logistical problems not just getting the players to Basingstoke but throw in the previous week’s hectic schedule which included a two day game with Gloucestershire, an under 16 mini tour to Worcestershire and Cornwall the previous 48 hours, Jack Porters 18th birthday and this was likely to provide an interesting experience for all concerned. Of course the first rain for weeks was a further spanner and Saturday league games were delayed until past the meeting time of 8 o’clock and the nightmare was getting worse. Now well past the proposed departure time traffic problems were holding up Seb Benton at Sidmouth and suddenly the prospect of a decent food break was dwindling. Every cloud has a silver lining at least the traffic delayed the superstars report on his day at the Oval. At last we set off finding out the Plympton pace too much for the Barton boys and the Axminster run still in the wrong direction at the hands this time of Bradninch. It was reassuring to welcome back, at Ilminster, a strawberry blond Gary Chappell from his mid season break in the Caribbean. The journey was difficult in heavy rain and condensation and winter driving mode had to be turned on. With all the likely eating places now closed it’s sandwiches and the like as the last resort. The Holiday Inn was reached at midnight and now the players fully understood why a later start time on the Sunday had been requested.
The accommodation and in particularly the breakfast won the approval of the squad and just a few puddles the only remaining evidence of the nightmare. The game was to be played at a former host of the first class game and one with aspirations for its return providing good facilities with first floor dressing rooms and balcony. Hardy made it three out of three and batted. One of the enduring memories of two marvellous days of Devon youth cricket was the field settings for the first and last overs of the game. Hampshire started with a staggered slip cordon, short leg - the Full Monty. Two hundred and twenty three overs later Devon ended with a staggered slip cordon, short leg - the Full Monty how the balance of power had changed! Forty-six minutes into the game Hardy was caught for a 50 ball 14. Gareth Tidball then started perhaps the briefest contribution to the two day game. With two fifties under his belt he cunningly left a straight one first ball to be leg before. The following day, due to sickness, he fielded for just an over – thanks for coming Gareth. His dismissal did resolve a major problem with Fletcher leaving his shirts at the Hotel we had two eights at the crease – totally village. At 38-2 Hampshire must have been fairly satisfied but James Fletcher and Gary Chappell were about to embark on a partnership of epic proportions.

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