Devon Cricket Board - DCBYA U14s 2012 Gwent Report

Devon Cricket Board Youth Association Under 14s
Gwent Match Report

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All the pre season preparation done. Side selected. 2012 appointments - Captain Toby Codd and Vice Captain Ben Green. New scorer and coach. Gwent at Blundell's School but what would happen? What a glorious week it had been but to wake up to drizzle and rain and thunder storms threatening Tiverton PM not good news. The groundsman Steve Wills said it would come to nothing and he was right.

The warm up went well with Nick Watkin in charge. Good enthusiam and energy but where was the music? Been a busy week! Toss lost and Gwent decide to bat. Just as well as the batting order was still being mulled over! Dan Goodey steamed in and 10 balls later Gwent had not scored a run off the bat but were 4 for 0 - not quite what was hoped. Ben Green bowled a maiden although there were 4 byes again not what was hoped. However in the 6th over Green struck bowling Voke and 3 overs later Ben Steer brought onto replace Goodey had Rose caught behind by Freddie Filor. 40-2 off 9 overs. Norman and Pepper then put on an excellent partnership of 164 in 30 overs. Green bowled with control and was unlucky not to take a second wicket. His 5 over spell 1-15. Toby Codd brought new boy Charles Fitzroy into the action early and his first over went for 2. In his subsequent 2 overs he over pitched slightly and he was driven through the covers. Good lessons, which were discussed, were learnt about where runs are scored at Blundell's, backward point, third man and driving when the ball is slightly over pitched. With the wicket slow Toby Codd's off spin was not as effective as normal. Dan Pyle nagged away for a respectable 19 off 7 overs, Jake Reddick had a short spell and Dan Wolf with the charge on, bowled his 6 overs for 22 and was particularly good when Jamie Telford, now keeping, standing up. Norman reached his half century off 78 balls before a run out saw the end of Pepper 38. Two overs later Green, who was well rested having fielded in the slips for 32 overs ( I assume there must have been some transaction?) had Norman 82 caught by Codd and next ball Kefalas caught behind by Telford. 186-5 off 42 overs. Gwent then took their score to 205-5 off their 45 overs, a good score but one Devon felt confident, with their batting, they should reach as 230-250 was probably par.

An aspect of Devon's bowling performance which needs addressing the 38 extras including 22 wides and 6 no balls!!! Not good enough guys!! The fielding acceptable but definitely could be better- more energetic, more dynamic, more athletic. Remember Dan Wolf's diving stop! You also need to back up more, chase everything down and run between overs for all the overs. Plenty for you to work on between matches! Nike!!

After one of the best teas you will ever have, thank you Louise Codd et al, it was down to business. 5 an over required. From the first ball look for the singles, twos and threes - something Gwent could have perhaps done better. Run hard! A change to last year's batting order, a right and a left hander opening partnership. Codd and Pyle. Both batted well, without any real alarm bells, even though Gwent opened with a spinner to be different, with Pyle warming to his new role and playing some superb drives, mainly for 4. Codd accumalated runs with the occasional square drive for 4, until in the 20th over there was a mix up and he is run out for 33 with the score on 75. Enter the "pink one" Steery, who earlier had had to get his hair just right before play commenced. What is that all about- oh she was sitting beneath the staff room balcony! 3 overs later Pyle is out caught for an excellent 42 having given a sharp caught and bowled chance in the 14th over. Ben Green in his new position 4, joins Steer and together they take the score along at 3-5 an over before accelerating to 5-7 an over from the 30th over. Green dropped on 35 played with an adult assurance and really punished the bad ball with some superb shots. He brought up his 50 in 36 balls and finished on 66 not out, including a super straight check drive 6, and with Steer who finished on 43 not out, who ran wonderfully, they gradually took the game away from Gwent. Devon reached their target in the 42nd over, winning by 8 wickets.

A fantastic start to the new season. Some valuable lessons learnt in prepartion for the ECB CC programme which starts shortly. Think circle of concentration. Watch the match. No distractions for instance games of bowles, rugby, keep me uppie and girlfriends!

Thank you to Blundell's School, Steve Wills and his groundsmen team, the umpires Nick and John, parents and relatives for their support and the parents/ladies for the fabulous tea.

Gwent 205-5. J Norman 82. M Pepper 38. B Green 8-1-39-3. Devon 209-2. T Codd 33, D Pyle 42, B Steer 43 no and B Green 66 no. Devon won by 8 wickets.

MOM Ben Gree n

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