For those players making their county debut this game is likely to remain with them throughout their cricketing careers On an idyllick summers afternoon Bournemouth Sports Club seemed a wonderful location and although there was confusion over start times the game started in extreme heat. Dorset won the toss and elected to bat and with this decision gained four additional overs. Dorset lost their first wicket at 6 when Quinn was bowled by Jamie Overton with his fifth ball. The second wicket pairing yielded 36 runs when Dorset's opener Green was bowled by McKenna with his second ball. The third wicket put on 47 when Dorset lost two wickets on 87. First Triniman was caught by Penberthy off Worth for a splendid 47 then skipper Matthew Golding bowled Hurley for a duck. However the fifth wicket put on 45 when Downey was smartly caught behind by the standing up Craig Overton off Penberthy for 21. After 25 overs Dorset were 132 and Devon were satisfied with their performance but as tiredness and heat started to exert an influence Dorset started to pull away with an outstanding sixth wicket partnership of 78 between Thew and Nippard. With two overs remaining Downey was run out for 32 and Thew followed four runs later just two short of his fifty. Seven runs were put on for the eighth wicket as Dorset completed their allocation on 221-7 with Golding taking 2-17 off seven.
Devon confronted with scoring at just under six an over off their 38 overs decided the key was to try and keep scoring at this rate throughout the innings rather than having to t-off later. It was agreed that the easiest way was to push and run and score as many singles as possible. Like Dorset, Devon suffered the worst of starts as Woolcott was bowled on the last ball off the first over. Skipper Golding and Seamus McKenna then took up the mantle with some splendid shots and excellent running. They put on 31 in six overs, up with the clock, but Golding missed a straight one and was out for ten. Initially Harrison Folland and Mckenna were not on the same wavelength when on one occasion the opener had to complete a two just to avoid being run out!! However once the fine tuning was complete the pair shared in a vital partnership of 42, scampering singles almost at will although creating some heart problems on the boundary. When Devon were taking the initiative Folland was trapped in front for 13. Another eleven were added when keeper Overton - Craig was caught. What followed was the key section of the visitors innings. McKenna was batting beautifully when he was joined by the other twin - Jamie Overton who decided it was too hot to run and just started blasting. McKenna deservedly passed his maiden county fifty but then experienced problems with his knee and retired. Devon were well placed at 20 overs having scored at 5.45 an over.

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