A scorching day for the penultimate game before the Festival. Privately hoping the weather is a little cooler than this when the time comes. Today will be a good test of stamina, concentration and preparation for such conditions, especially for the management . Coach Allen spends his time memorising the instructions on the sunscreen bottle.  Arrive early at Barnstaple & Pilton to see the indefatigable Steve Moore hard at work on pitch preparation.  The ground looks a picture, and the pavilion splendid with its sympathetic planting breaking up, what was when it was first opened, a fairly austere looking ground. It is now a proper cricket ground.  The wicket, it is agreed by all has plenty of runs in it. Cricket was made for days like these.

Cap'n Jack is sent out to toss with strict instructions from his colleagues not  to return unless we are batting first. Mission accomplished. We certainly do not want to field in the hottest part of the day. It is clear the umpires are expecting a hot and long day, and we do not aim to disappoint them. Unbelievably, after 8 overs we are 16-5, with 5 of our top order back in the hutch.  Three ducks and two 2's their total contribution. They should be kicking themselves, but will probably miss. have we been undone by outstanding bowling?  Not really.  We have identified another type of bowler we seem to have no idea how to play - the left arm swing bowler. An LBW and Clean Bowled in the first over. Not helped by the Lone Gloucestershire Manager's comment "That's the first two he's bowled straight all season". Regulation medium pace at the other then becomes unplayable, and wickets three, four and five fall by over eight.

Tom Simmons and Sam Read do a good job of steadying the ship and get us to 51-5 at the first drinks break, after 15 overs. The talk at drinks is of these two batting through to 30 overs and then re-assessing where we are.  All agree the pitch is benign and the outfield fast. Runs will take care of themselves. One ball later we are 51-6 as Tom Simmons is deceived by the left arm spinners arm ball. He has scored a valuable 21.

Enter our saviour from the previous game to a similar scenario, Ollie Hannam.He and Sam Read put on a stand of 35 and get us to the next drinks break. Although we accept it is hot, the running between the wickets is poor, and it is agreed to sharpen it up. The inevitable happens as Sam Read is dropped off a no ball, and then run out by the fielder recovering the spilled chance. It was a direct hit , so no real blame for taking the single, except................. he was a rather long way out, and would have been run out if the catch had gone to the bowler over the stumps. Another score in the twenties for Sam (29).

Time to start again. We lose another wicket quickly, and just as the Ollie's (Pugsley & Hannam) look as though they are in charge, Ollie Hannam contrives to run himself out for 29. Luckily we have last weeks opener, Max Hancock to come.  Never lacking in confidence he proceeds to bat with Ollie P for four overs taking the score to 129. Both look assured, and bat in a manner which belies their scorecard number. Ollie is eventually bowled for 12 leaving Max 18 not out.  The final total of 129 is conservatively estimated by most to be at least 75 short of a par total.