The day started dull, dank and windy but did not dampen the spirits of the Hertfordshire County Team. Alan Hare, the outgoing ICC Manager and Head Selector, gathered everyone round for his usual up-beat and rallying message. His closing comment echoed his first speech as Manager where he suggested anyone who really played badly was down to over activity the previous night which left everyone with a smile on their faces (knowing smirks in some cases). Now to the match itself.
Session One
Neil and Martin had it tough. Both opponents were extremely competent bowlers, one was the England Manager himself, and Neil had the dubious honour of playing him first. The opening end fuelled optimism, Neil winning a 2. Not much joy after that, with end 6 being 2 – 7, end 12 being 3 -15 with a final score of 6 – 16. Martin’s opponent was equally uncompromising, end 6 showing a 2 – 8 deficit. But then Martin began to show why he is the most in-form singles player at the moment and he won the next 4 ends, meaning end 10 he was level at 8 all. A 4 and a 3 from Devon stilled our beating heart with the final score of 9 – 17.
Jeanette & Darren S won the first end with a single but Devon came back with the next four ends to be leading 1- 6. A magnificent 4 followed by a single levelled the game at 6 all and they were level again after 10 ends at 8 all. Devon then upped their game to win the next 3 ends, 8 – 15 with Jeanette & Darren wining the final 2 for a score of 11 – 15. Jeff and Darren B were showing Devon this might just not be the pushover they were probably expecting. They won the first 9 ends and were leading by 12. End 10 had Devon claiming a single, but they only won a further 2 ends meaning our boys took the match 18 – 5. This pairing shows massive potential and the new selectors may consider this could be retained.
Hertfordshire 2 Devon 6 : Singles -12 Pairs +9
Session Two
Beverly, Jan & Malcolm won the second end with a 2 but after 5 ends the score was 2 – 7 with Devon winning the other 4. The last 8 ends were shared with Devon retaining their lead to win 7 – 15. Alan S, Julia & B Mc won their first 2 ends, the second with a wonderful 5. After that, the game was managed with Devon edging the end count 6 to 5 but Herts running out the winners 13 – 8.
The Fours had it tough with Devon showing their strength of depth and internationals peppering their two fours. Trevor, Doreen, Mike H and Alan H knew that this was going to be a long day when, after 5 ends, the score was 0 – 15 which included a 7. They kept going, winning two ends for a final score of 5 – 22. Tony, Mike E, Roger and Margaret H came out the blocks like Usain leading 4 – 0 after 2 ends. The night before began to tell then and the next end won by Herts was the nineth. A further 2 ends to Devon left the score at 6 - 11.
Hertfordshire 4 Devon 12 : Triples -3 Fours -22
Session Three
The first 5 ends of Neil’s match went 2 – 3 but the score didn’t reflect that being 2 – 8. Six ends later, with the end tally at 3 all, Neil had slightly narrowed the gap to 7 – 12 but with Devon winning 3 of the last four, the final score was 9 – 18. Martin’s opponent must have had something in his lunch as he was at his superb best. Martin played some lovely shots but was forced to attack more than he probably wanted and 15 ends later, the score was 5 – 21 with Martin winning 4 ends.
Jeanette & Darren S also suffered from an inspired duo, also winning 4 ends, the score ending up 4 – 23. The match though, was special as Jeanette, as skip, played the shot of the day – ask her about it, it was beautiful to witness. Jeff and Darren B again played well without quite reaching the heights of the morning. Devon won the first 3 ends, Herts won the next 3 leaving the score at 5 – 7. With the next 4 ends also shared, but a pesky 4 in there, the score was 7 – 12. The last 5 ends Devon shaded leaving a final score of 10 – 17.
Hertfordshire 4 Devon 24 : Singles -36 Pairs -17
Session Four
Alan S, Julia & B Mc also had a cat and mouse game with the first 9 ends being singles and Devon a short head in front on 4 – 5. A Devon 2 on the tenth end was answered with a Herts 2, followed by a 3 and a final single giving a 10 - 7 win. Beverly, Jan & Malcolm started brightly with a 3 and although the next 4 ends were shared, the score after 5 ends was 5 – 6. Real nip and tuck after that with shared singles on the next four ends leaving it at 7 – 8 after 9. Ends 10 and 11 went to Devon (7 – 10) but a Herts 3 on the penultimate end had it all square with the final end to play. With the advantage changing regularly, it was down to the skips final shots and, with the bonus points on the line and the closest game of the day, Devon having the advantage of the last wood held a single and edged the game 10 - 11.
Both fours showed changes to the morning with the travelling reserves being added. Trevor, Doreen, Margaret E and Mike H took the first 3 ends to lead 4 – 0 but the next 4 ends saw Deven win 3 of them and the score now level at 6 all. Devon then won the remaining ends for the final score of 6 -11. Mike E, Terri, Roger and Margaret H then took on the might of Devon. It was an educational experience and the positives were 2 ends won but a final score of 2 – 18.
Hertfordshire 6 Devon 34 : Triples -1 Fours -43
Just as an aside, it is well known that Alan H has a nickname he cherishes after some idiot told him at the Nationals a few years ago, that one of his shots was magnificent. Well Brian Mc was given one after the second session by Jeff so…………………………Mr Reliable is in the building!
There is no doubt that Devon are a very good Premiere Team (purely on the games played against Hertfordshire, probably slightly better than Kent). Hertfordshire, on the other hand, are an excellent A Team. Whilst there is a gulf, it is narrowing – think not just what the score would have been pre-Covid but also would Herts even be there in the first place! All is not doom and gloom as there is definite signs of improvement. Believe!