An overnight stop in sub tropical temperatures would have been more appealing in an air conditioned rondeville on a Maldivian Island in the Indian Ocean as opposed to an airless New Forest Hotel. It was hoped that this would not cause additional tiredness for the players who had under performed the previous day. An early start, an excellent breakfast and another delightful morning crossing to Yarmouth and we were back on the Island with only Scott Barlow making his first visit. This was the third day of a fully accredited Met Office heat wave and the temperature rose in the short journey to Lymington, on the ferry to Yarmouth and the half hour trip up the coastal road to Ventnor. The faculties at the ground each visit improve with new nets and a plasma screen TV the latest. The Bettiss back went in warm up and the Island generously allowed a replacement as Williams continued his fine form with the coin and without a second thought bowled. The side’s attitude from ball one had changed back was the more aggressive ball in to the keeper and a general air of meaning business. Tom Allin looked what he currently is, one of the quickest bowlers in Devon cricket but he was still not coming to terms with the Ventnor slope and was overstepping. It was his opening partner Adam Parker who struck first in the sixth over on 17 trapping last years, keeper Lloyd, leg before then having this year’s Wilson caught smartly at slip by Tim Piper. In the next over Allin caught and bowled Snell and 19-3 was the required start. Fourteen were added for the fourth wicket when a direct hit from Scott Barlow ran out Whitfield. One run later Piper took an easier catch at slip off Porter to send back Morris - 34-5 shades of the day before but in reverse. Beven, last years half centurion and Baldwin added 38 when Cooke had Beven caught behind by Nick Watkin. At the same score Cooke took his second wicket with the help of a catch from Dan Bowser and still on 72 Baldwin’s 34 minute resistance ended when David Wrench held him at long on for a top score of 28 to give Porter his second victim.  Six runs later West of England spinner Briggs was run out when cover Jack Porter and Nick Watkin combined. The captain Holmes was then trapped in front by Allin to give all the wicket takers two apiece. We knew how the Isle of Wight felt as they were dismissed for 85 in 32.5 we had been nearly there the day before. Parker finished with figures of 2-4 off seven overs and Cooke 2-5 off six, extras totalled 24.

Watkin was bowled trying to cart Beven, Briggs bowled well, Bowser (20*) walked a single in an effort to give the Island a second wicket and failed and Williams (30*) fancied the short leg side Pavilion boundary. After 19.4 overs it was time for a swim. The key was that the side again looked like a side!

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