Smith lasted 8 balls and was bowled by Lodwick who was making the ball talk moving the ball off the seam and in the air in both directions. Tidball’s 82 minute vigil ended at sixteen minutes past seven as the umpires were now well into over overtime as the over rate hit an all time low. Vice Captain, Andrew Buzza, suggested James Harris as a night watchman but somehow the role did not get through as the Exeter St James player attacked the bowling! In hindsight this was the right policy and indeed received complements from the opposition for the positive approach. Close of play eventually coming at 7.42pm with no further wickets and a loud shout off the last ball it had been a long day thirteen hours after the first sight of rain. The captain, Eliot Acton, was batting as well as anyone on either side and looking a very accomplished batter. It had been a very testing day for both sides with the toss vital and the second day should enable some players to show their true character and would enable the Isle of Wight Festival party to be finalised.

It was unnecessary to rise at five as the second day greeted everyone with bright sunshine and a cooling breeze. Acton lost Harris four runs into the first session when Neal caught and bowled him, their partnership of 24 had started the tide to turn. Buzza helped his side to pass the hundred but was bowled for the first time in the day at 112. Apart from being a fine bowler, Shane Evenden has not yet had an opportunity to show his batting prowess this summer added twelve scoring 11. At 126-9 the first innings win was by no means a certainty. However Mark Orchard is batting far too low in this side, because of the ability of his team mates, but helped Acton pass his maiden county fifty and the target of 153 in the top stand of the innings – 39. Acton has always known how to hold a bat but he has added shot selection to his natural talents and Peter Anderson felt his ability to leave a major strength. With a lead of 13 Orchard was caught for a vital and crafted 14. The pair had nearly turned the Welsh game around but they achieved their objective this time. Somerset’s intentions were clear as they lost Jenkins in the eight overs before lunch this time caught by Buzza at third slip off Evenden. Lodwick fell immediately after the interval caught by Wakely off Harris and the under 17 short leg from the previous week, Field, completed a pair when Devon’s short leg, Tidball, now fielding out of position held him off Acton at 49-3 Devon should have been well pleased. West of England Buttler and Irishman Ackland, who had top scored the previous week against the 17s put on the highest partnership of the game – 78. Buttler was brilliantly held by Buzza, not quite up to his Worcester wonder catch but certainly approaching it, off the captain for an excellent  76 ball 60. Ackland and Walker put on 68 as a declaration was muted when Harris and Orchard combined to remove Ackland for a dazzling 70 ball 78.   Next