Arriving at Okehampton just past midnight after being on the road for 6 and a half hours and 16 hours after the party left the Lyndhurst Travelodge it was no surprise that the journey to Okehampton was one of the quieter ones with snores louder than the music although it was not perhaps the best preparation for our second game against Cornwall. The highlight of the journey to the attractive Werrington ground was the scorer chasing and failing to catch the wrong mini bus with the right one being instructed to slow down delaying our arrival. Gibbo won the toss and inserted on a ground were you always bat first – Cornwall were chuffed. Cornwall opened with their latest batting discovery 15 year old Matt Robbins and Dan Jarman who put on 46 when Watkin now promoted as first change removed Jarman held by Adam Parker. At 76 Watkin enticed Robbins to drive and he was well caught above his head by James Toms. The second partnership of the innings of 30 ended when Neil Bettiss took the third catch of the day to remove Tunnadin who was Gary Larcombe’s first wicket. A run out from Toms and Parker made the score 131 after 220 balls when Churcher was dismissed. Devon were now controlling the game and a final product under 200 seemed likely. Larcombe took the next three wickets as Cornwall were reduced to 187-7 he had Hodgson stumped by Bettiss, who is having an amazing season behind the stumps, bowled Martin and Murray caught the keeper Horwell. The younger Smeeth was Watkins third wicket and Devon was satisfied at 189-8 with 23 balls remaining and an alleged rabbit at 11. The opposition’s captain Ben Smeeth had other ideas and with the under 17 opening bowler Kelvin Snell a further 40 runs were added. Smeeth was undefeated on 53 off only 35 balls with 6 fours and a six. The opposition scorer was satisfied with the final score of 229 as Snell was run out on the last ball - well you always bat first at Werrington. Devon’s fielding performance reflected the exacting 36 hours with seven missed opportunities; hopefully it would not now be reflected in the batting.
No runs were scored by the openers as Williams went third ball flicking Snell to square leg. Watkins looked regal and hoped to continue the form that he has shown over recent weeks hitting 4 fours in his ten ball 18. However he followed the example of his club captain and flicked leg side to be caught at mid wicket, his return to the old Watco in needing an escort showed his disappointment. Two key members on the national 2000 under 16 championship side were together as Neil Bettiss and James Toms put on 53 taking the side up to 79 after 123 balls when left arm spinner Ivamy enticed Bettiss to drive and he was caught.

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