With apologies to Charles Dickens and a Tale of Two Cities this game against the Isle of Wight at Exmouth was the best of Devon cricket, it was the worst of Devon cricket. The worst was evident first as the Isle of Wight, fresh from an exciting win over Dorset, won the toss and inserted the home county. Their captain Holmes opened from the sea end and put in three brisk overs before an existing injury took over. With his first legal ball he had Bowser caught at slip and Devon were 1- 1 (a wide). Captain Aaron Williams and Vice Captain Nick Watkin put on 42 in eleven overs when, with both looking in good form, they departed off successive balls 43-3 became 69-4 as David Wrench and Richard Tucker tried to recover the situation. Tucker was continuing his good club form and at the demise of Wrench put on another 46 with Will Grainger, who has not been having the best of seasons, but was grinding it out and regaining his touch. Again two wickets fell in quick succession as Grainger was caught and Adam Parker went first ball. A further 17 runs were added by Tucker (43) and Jack Porter and then Devon appeared to put up the white flag as they lost their last four wickets on 132 – most certainly the worst of Devon cricket.

Aaron Williams must have given his side some pep talk as they looked a completely different side after the interval when they fired out half the Isle of Wight side for 18. Porter took a good catch off Parker to remove Woodhouse, a direct hit from Grainger cut off Dye., the dangerous Snell was trapped in front by an inspired Parker and then he bowled Morris. Twenty-one were added for the sixth when Tom Allin had Russell caught by a diving Wrench at slip. The best partnership of the innings -23 took the Isle of Wight up to 62 when the dogged captain Holmes was Acton’s first victim – bowled. The left armer then removed Burford caught behind by Watkin and he then trapped Allen in front. On 81 Scott Barlow took his first county wicket of the season when he caught and bowled opener Lloyd who had batted through facing 101 balls in his 136 minute stay – a great performance. The Island were bowled out in 37.3 by an inspired bowling and fielding performance – the best of Devon cricket. The watching 17s must have been impressed as they tried and succeeded in repeating a similar united performance at Warmister the following day.

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