Devon v Somerset – Seaton C.C. 12 th & 13th August

Scorecard

Nick Watkin was successful with the toss and Devon batted. At 29 Wigley was caught behind and three runs later Garland was trapped in front by Carroll. The initiative and the game was then lost in a passage of 22 minutes as Devon collapsed to 36-5 with Carroll getting two further leg before decisions and bowling Horton around his legs.The fast finger of fate had struck three times sending back Garland, Bettiss and Parker. Nick Watkin dug in with Tim Piper and advanced the score by 50 when three minutes after lunch Piper became Carroll’s fifth victim caught by Blundell’s and Exmouth’s Liam Lewis for a 44 ball 22. Craig Miles then helped his skipper put on 52 for the seventh wicket before Watkin’s fine innings came to a conclusion (full details see scorecard) for 65. The lower order batted sensible, superbly lead by Miles as he put on 30 with Jenn, who was unnecessarily run out, 54 with Price who was out on double nelson and 25 with Leon Loveridge. The finger of fate nearly took out another victim as a garbled appeal resulted in the quick decision being equally rapidly revoked. Miles was eventually last out for a magnificent career best 80 as the side yet again fell three runs short of a batting point. It is hoped that the three points they have so far missed this season are not critical. Somerset was comfortably placed at 51-0 at close of play. Timms and Lewis then put on a further 115 runs the next morning before Devon took their only wicket when Lewis was trapped in front by Watkin for 78. The talented Timms who plays a beautiful structured compact game went on to score his second hundred at 17s against Devon and in the company of the keeper Spurway took his side to full batting points before declaring at 300 off 84.2 overs. Devon tried seven bowlers but were unable to instigate a breakthrough but never gave up as Watkin pushed his players all of the way. With 32 overs to bat Devon decided to try and get at least some points and aimed for the two batting points at 150. This was achieved thanks to fine innings from Wigley, Bettiss, Horton and Parker. Watkin declared at 150 having checked with the external Somerset scorer that Parker had reached his fifty. Wrong move, be braver next time as he had only scored 48 and was therefore robbed of a deserved 50. His 48 came off 36 balls and he batted beautifully. Bettiss virtually scored at a run a ball and then found mid off after his reverse sweep had failed. A good comeback and showed how vital the 22 minutes had been the previous day.

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