The under 21s at last beat the weather in their new Southern Counties competition but the drizzle that started shortly before the conclusion of their innings changed to heavy rain almost immediately they completed their six wicket win over Cornwall at Tavistock. The visitors won the toss and batted and seemed in no difficulty as they advanced to 61 without loss after fourteen overs. Jack Porter who had taken over from his under 17 colleague Tom Allin, who had made an impressive debut, struck in his first and second overs. First he had Chris Martin caught behind for 26 and six balls later had Cornwall’s captain Tunnadine well held by Gary Larcombe. Twenty-five runs later Murray picked up opener Hockin who had been dropped off Parker and should have been run out two balls earlier but Marc Bettiss atoned for his lapse with a smart catch. An excellent caught and bowled, on his knees, from Murray removed Barber and left Cornwall 96-5 A run later they lost their sixth wicket as Porter and Bettiss combined to run out Hodgson for a 47 ball 15. It was single figures for the remaining Cornish batsmen as the Axminster off spinner, Gary Larcombe, tied them up taking 3-12 off ten. He bowled Bray-Smith and two fine stumpings from Marc Bettiss removed the under 17 duo Snell and Libby. The visitors final pairing put on 19 in 32 balls but the home side should have been satisfied with the end product of dismissing their opponents in 45.5 overs for 139 with all of their bowlers making important contributions and keeper Marc Bettiss involved in five of the dismissals.

Needing under 3 an over Devon lost key batter Neil Bettiss at 6 and ten runs later Shorten held a stunning caught and bowled to remove the Barton captain Aaron Williams. Fortunately his club batters Nick Watkin and James Toms stabilised the situation putting on 58 off 108 balls when they disagreed on a run and Toms was on his way home for a useful 24 off 61 balls. Devon were now back on course with Watkin playing a typical knock.  Enter the captain James Gibson who rolled back the years to remind everyone that throughout his age group, if not his club, career he was a leading batter as he stroked a 29 ball 22. He then played a rash shot to give the keeper a skyer. Marc Bettiss then saw the side home testing his mathematical skills as he ensured that Watkin reached his 50. Watkin had held the innings together and batted for two hours twenty-four minutes hitting 4 fours. Tavistock looked after both sides well and the squad now have three more fixtures to make up the lost ground the poor weather has created.

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