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CONRAD SUTCLIFFE WRITES

SUNDAY , JULY 1

DEVON are hoping to avoid cricket's equivalent of the dreaded penalty shoot out after seeing the first attempt at playing their Minor Counties Cup semi-final against Cheshire at Boughton Hall rained off.

Match officials Cliff Pocock and David Burden didn't have to spend long looking at the Boughton Hall square and outfield to rule out any prospect of playing yesterday.

The Devon players didn't bother to changed – there was no need to - and left the ground by 12.30pm to get back to their hotel.

With more rain expected last night, the prospects of playing the game at Boughton Hall appear limited.

Competition rules allow a game to be moved and Cheshire officials have been trying to find an alternative club to host the match. One possibility that emerged last night was to play the game at Upton CC on the Wirrall, which hadn't been so badly hit by the weather. Devon moved their Minor Counties Championship game against Wiltshire from Bovey Tracey to Exmouth last week because of the same problems with the weather.

If no play is possible, or no result achieved, within two days the rules state that teams go through cricket's equivalent of the penalty shoot out – a bowl out – to decide who goes to Lord's.

Devon 's experience of bowl outs isn't good. On the one occasion they tried it they went out to Suffolk at Torquay in 2004. Neither side is keen on deciding who goes to Lord's by a lottery if it can be avoided. A replay would be a more acceptable solution.

But there are problems getting the other semi-final played between Oxfordshire and Suffolk at Wantage – and the opposing captains in that game don't want a bowl out either! Devon secretary Geoff Evans, who is also the Minor Counties' secretary as well, said it was possible the bowl-out rule could be bypassed if all four sides agree. “We will try and play at Boughton Hall, or another venue up here, but that doesn't look too likely,” said Evans last night. “Oxfordshire and Suffolk appear to be in the same boat and none of us are that keen on having a semi-final decided by a bowl out. “The final isn't until August Bank Holiday Monday and between now and then there are three blank Sundays when none of the counties have games in the Championship. “If the games can be replayed on one of those vacant Sundays, rather than having to go to a bowl out, I think everyone will be much happier.” The three dates open to Devon and Cheshire are July 15, July 29 and August 12.