As Gibbo so subtly put it – that's the two year plan out of the window! Devon entered their final match of the season against Gloucestershire in the knowledge that a win on first innings would ensure another season in South Division Two. A timid first innings batting performance consigned the county to a first ever season in the third division. At the end of the first day Devon were satisfied with their performance as they had bowled out their hosts for 275 and were 12-0 at close of play. For the third time this season it was a superb final session that set Devon up to knock off the runs on the second day. With the weather forecast worse than reality Devon inserted Gloucestershire and after a delayed start the home side were at lunch 68-1 after 33 overs with Porter bowling Brassington for 29. The captain Reid and Mills had set anchor and proceeded to put on 130 by tea without loss. Fraser yorked his counterpart first ball after tea for 78 bringing the first of his younger brothers to the crease. He set about lifting the tempo with a 19 ball 29 hitting five fours and a six. However now in tandem with left arm spinner Daniel Bowser Fraser stormed in for his twelfth over to take a hat trick. He bowled the dangerous Ruben Reid, then had his younger brother caught behind by Yau and then trapped Withers plum in front, he was given some send off as the hat trick and Fraser's return in confidence were greeted with real glee. 235-2 was now 235-5, the complexion of the game totally changed. Gloucester were then reduced to 268-9 first Bowser had Cropper leg before, then a vital mix up resulted in the Wilkinson – Yau combination running out Mills for 72. Come in Garry Chappell, later to be taken aside by former Lancashire and Nottingham coach Alan Ormod, first he bowled Patel and then had Shackelton well held by Fraser. Fraser then completed the coup de grâce as his direct hit ran out the last man Chisimba. Bowser and Bess negotiated safely the seven remaining overs putting on twelve.

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