The visit to Sandford the night before this game revealed a well protected square against the once again scheduled rain over the next two days and for the first time in fifteen years the grumpy grounds men suggested we should field first. The next day drizzle at 9.00am turned into a little heavier rain and Ports had to adapt his warm up to the conditions and make compromises, not for the first time this summer. With the Sandford work force in overdrive there was also the need to remove sheets in between drills. The side wanted to bat, but with the weather forecast still indicating a strong possibility that the game would not enter its second day the decision was made that guaranteed points would be achieved bowling and there would be greater control of the game batting second. All not at all well received when Acton won the toss and rightly fielded. The game started only seventy-five minutes late although this was extended by a further seven as the complexities of raising the site screens were beyond the Manager and Coach. It was truly amazing that the ground was playable in such a short time and a real tribute to Chris Theedom and Colin Lever. Having looked an outstanding seam combination a fortnight earlier the attack did not look so menacing in what appeared ideal conditions. In the eighth over Debenham held another fine slip catch off Orchard to send back the visitors captain, Cooper, who looked a useful prospect. Debenham’s fielding at slip is now amongst the best seen at this level on par with the Courts, Woods and Parkers. However this was the only wicket in the first session where the side looked and fielded in a manner that indicated they would have preferred to have their feet up in the pavilion. Lunch was taken at 84-1 with the over rate a concern as only 28 had been bowled in the session. One short of the hundred Oxfordshire lost their second wicket and it was a stunning low one handed caught and bowled by Debenham that took the wicket. His hand eye coordination are exceptional, it was no more than a foot off the ground at pace. A magnificent effort, hopefully it would turn the tide. It did bring another wicket as opener Smith reached his fifty then unecceassarly went after Gilmour to give Buzza another catch and yet another damaged finger. It was 145-4 as the underrated Luke Bess confirmed that the family has a number of reasonable seamers as he bowled Taylor neck and crop. This is when the screw should have been turned and the batters given a chance to put their feet up. However we were milked by Oxfordshire particularly through mid wicket and 84 were added for the fifth wicket by Phillips and Wood. A Rowe tea was taken at 197-4 with Smith having resolved the overs problem. Buzza came back for a third spell and his first dart bowled Wood. This brought the latest cliché that wickets now fall in clusters as Smith was stranded and the Acton /Smith revived memories of 2006 with smart work by both; Phillips, who had looked the part, was adjudged leg before off Debenham and Blanchfield became Buzza’s second victim held by Bess. 259-8, quite confidence that the extra batting point would not be achieved but alas it was with some ease as White and Purssell put on 42. This was mainly against the seamers who should have been cleaning up but once the final batting point was achieved White chanced his arm once too often being well held by Orchard, who initially seemed to be in the wrong position off Buzza’s hit me ball. Burke was too quick for Woods and Smith did the rest. Four points each, honours even, but the home side the more disappointed. Confusion ragged, one over bowled, three wides and a two to Bess, the sheeting put back on and the square not to be further involved in the game. It started around seven, off and on it continued until around two, then bright sunshine, a very squelchy outfield and tea cancelled. The journey home was through more rain. Will summer ever arrive? Our thanks to Sandford for all they did to get some play.

From top the well protected Sandford square on the second morning, the only outside action of the second day and the indoor recreation which included Cluedo. Andrew Buzza models the new Devon playing shirt.

Left before the deluge.