At the third time of asking Devon got it right and beat Hertfordshire on first innings. It is now over a year since this age group have won the toss and the drought continued as heads was called and duly came down Fresh from their win over Middlesex our visitors batted. Allin bowled four maidens on the trot and on the last ball of his fifth and the sides tenth over Yau caught Wynne. The run rate crept up to just over two by the twenty-fifth over when Porter, who was now bowling to a 9-0 field, had the opposition’s captain caught at second gulley by Menheneott. Lunch came at 85-2 and 38 overs bowled including the spin of Carr and debutant Chappell. The third wicket pair put on 62 as Hertfordshire advanced to 115 after 52 when West was trapped in front of Porter four short of his 50. The good news was that both centurions against Middlesex were now back in the hutch but Herts made further steady progress putting on 73 off 131 balls when Porter took hid third wicket. His spell had been outstanding bowling a most consistent and annoying line. Tea was taken at 196-4  with the game evenly poised. Thirty one for the fifth and 20 for the second were the next partnerships as Devon started to turn the screw. The introduction of leg spinner Wilkinson was Piper’s first masterstroke. Bess held Sharp three runs short of his fifty. Carr then took a catch of the Torquay leggy and 239-6 Devon was in the box seat. Carr then ran out Brown, Piper assisted Wilkinson to send back Hicks, Allin returned to bowl Smith and after 97 overs Hertfordshire were 248-9. The tenth pairing added 28 frustrating runs but at least saw the clock past ten to six and at six minutes to the hour Carr trapped Godden leg before. Piper had been thrown into the deep end with the withdrawal of Fraser but was a most imaginative captain chopping and changing ensuring an excellent bowling rate and giving nine a bowl, none of them let him down. A good day’s work as Devon would have to chase 277 the next day.

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