A MAIDEN five-wicket haul for left-arm spinner Max Shepherd ensured Devon finished a stop-start second day against Wiltshire Sidmouth on the offensive.

Wiltshire, 50 for one overnight, need to reach 253 to avoid the follow-on, but only got as far as  225 before they were all out.

Shepherd, dual registered with Gloucestershire and Devon, took four wickets in a row as Wiltshire plummeted from 150 for three to 169 for seven. Jack Stearman, who top scored on 76, was the third of the four.

Tom Morton (31) delayed the inevitable for a while before Shepherd got him out too – courtesy of a brilliant catch from Kazi Szymanski.

Szymanski had to turn and run from mid-off toward the boundary and took a the catch over his shoulder to give Shepherd his fifth and final wicket of the evening session.

Skipper Jamie Stephens (2-38) wrapped-up then innings by snaring last man Harry Robbins lbw.

Shepherd had not finished with Wiltshire as they had to bat for the final eight minutes of the day lost opener Ollie Meadows, who ‘lollipopped’ a catch to Matt Skeemer at short mid-wicket. It was Shepherd’s sixth wicket of the game.

Wiltshire were nine for one when stumps were drawn. Devon lead by 168 going into day three and have a minimum of 107 overs to win the game, win the division and win promotion to Western Division One all in one go!

Rain delayed the start of play until lunch and been cleared away and forced the players off twice during the afternoon session.

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, said despite the stop-start nature of the day’s play the players stayed on task from start to finish.

“It is difficult when you are on and off like that to stay focussed, but when we went back out we were on our game straight away,” said Tall.

Shepherd has been with Devon throughout the three-day campaign this season, as well as the 50-over segment of the season, but at times has been either under-used or not used at all.

Tall said he was delighted to see Shepherd take wickets and was particularly impressed by the way he claimed them.

“Max has had games where he has had very little to do or not been involved, yet he has remained totally team-centred and got on with it,” said Tall.

“Today he had his chance and he grabbed it with both hands, which was totally deserved.

“Something else that impressed me was the way he worked out the most effective way to bowl.

“When he started he was bowling flat and quick. He realised there was a better pace to bowl at and got his rewards.”

Play on day three will resume at 10.30 on the third and final day.

For the full scorecard click here