Debenham then committed another cardinal sin, not batting on, and gave a catch, nine runs later Whittle was caught, on the same score Buzza was leg before and to complete the collapse Shane Evenden was also caught with the fielder nearly knocking himself out falling backwards. The opposition’s confidence visibly and audibly rose. Five key batsman gone, virtually without a trace, amazingly disappointing. Fortunately the captain Acton and injured Mark Orchard had different ideas with Orchard initially providing the ideal foil for his captain. Acton showed he is one to lead from the front, he scored 36 invaluable runs to his five wickets giving a clear indication to himself that perhaps he could bat higher and with Orchard took the score up to 165. This was always likely to be the area of the game when the shortage of wickets in hand would tell and Acton played his one poor shot of a 41 minute innings that included five fours and two sixes and was plumb. Orchard was now playing a key role and with the Kent academy prospect, under 14 captain, Matt Thompson they needed 32. Thompson does not lack confidence and the Torquay second team opener could not see any problems but 19 short with 32 balls still remaining, Orchard now carrying a leg injury gave Goddard the charge and was stumped for a 40 ball 28 (3 fours and a six). It would be exasperating if problems with injury rules out this engaging all rounder for the season. Complements from the opposition but the two key lessons from this game are to take the catches, and it is bad enough if one wicket brings two but surely one wicket should not bring five. Post match discussions revealed more positives than negatives and the return journey was not total despondency despite the first ever visit to Axminster railway station and the missing boots.

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