TIM WARD, MATT SKEEMER, OLLIE DAWE, JACK THOMAS, SEBASTIEN ANSLEY, JACK BRAZIER, BEN GREEN, CHRIS READ

TODD ROSSOUW, BEN ROBERTS, JACK MAUNDER, MARCUS HODDINOTT, DAN POWELL, DOMINIC BESS, HENRY GATER

The itinerary was little changed from previous years with a two day game at Skukuza in Kruger followed by four one day and one two day games in Western Province and Boland.

We should certainly have won the game at Skukuza but a determined performance by Nelspruit in their second innings and some uninspired early batting by Devon (13-3 from 10 Overs) left them 11 runs short of their target.

As anticipated we won our first two games in Cape Town but a visit to Boland followed by two matches against Western Province proved to be testing encounters – exactly what the itinerary was designed to do.

Rain curtailed play on the second day of the two day match against Western Province U14- the first time this has happened in Cape Town in eleven years .A pity because the match was set for an interesting finish.

We were comprehensively beaten by Boland and Western Province U15,  where we encountered some very capable young cricketers.

In assessing our own performances we should remember that this was the first time the players had performed outside since the end of last season, also that success and failure can be exaggerated on a short two week tour. We should not however fall into the trap of using this as an excuse. If the players are inspired to attain similar high standards of batting and bowling to those demonstrated by some of our opponents then the 6000 mile journey will be well worthwhile.

Nobody can claim that a short tour transforms an ordinary player into an outstanding performer, or vice versa, what it does do is add an extra layer of experience which hopefully will benefit individual long-term development. Neither can the benefits be assessed solely by statistics, feedback from parents over the years frequently refers to  the desirable social and cultural benefits derived from travelling overseas as part of a representative group and the interaction with local communities in South Africa.

We have good reason to be grateful for the quality of coaches available to players in Devon and Tim Ward and Chris Read were absolutely outstanding throughout this tour. It is not often you manage to persuade a current county captain to take part in an age group tour, it is particularly satisfying when his motivation is to put something back into an  organisation  which benefited his own early development. First class in all respects.

We usually try do something to express our gratitude for the reception we receive in South Africa. This year we organised a T20 game at Skukuza CC where black children from rural areas adjacent to Kruger played alongside our players in mixed teams. The afternoon was most enjoyable and our players are to be congratulated for the way in which they enabled the local youngsters to learn more about the game. In Cape Town Gavin Lane gave an evening presentation at Newlands cricket ground to umpires from the local association - an event which appeared to be very well received.

As ever we owe a big 'thank you’ to our good friends in Kruger and Western Province who gave so much of their time to ensure that our young players enjoyed a safe and rewarding experience - we do enjoy the support and friendship of some special people.

Alan Swift/Team Manager

12^TH AND 13^TH  FEB AT SKUKUZA CC ((2 DAY GAME)

NELSPRUIT  1^ST INNINGS 129  (D BESS 5 – 47)  & 144 (B GREEN 3-8)

DEVON 199 – 7 (H GATER 61*, M HODDINOTT 40, B GREEN 39)  & 64-4 (J MAUNDER 29*)

MATCH DRAWN.

16^TH FEBRUARY  AT PRIMROSE CC

DEVON 274 – 7 (M SKEEMER 91)

S SUBURBS 143 ALL OUT

DEVON WON BY 131 RUNS

17^TH FEB  AT BERGVLIET HS (DAY/NIGHT)

DEVON 184 -7  (J THOMAS 31*, J MAUNDER 31)

WP DEVELOPMENT XI  114 (B GREEN 4 – 40)

DEVON WON BY 70 RUNS

19^TH FEB AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

DEVON 129 (S ANSLEY 25)

BOLAND 130 – 3

BOLAND WON BY 7 WICKETS

21^ST AND 22^ND FEB AT VINEYARD OVAL (2 DAY GAME)

WP U14S 245 (D BESS 7 – 71) & 102-0

DEVON 1^ST INNINGS 191 (M HODDINOTT 52)

RAIN STOPPED PLAY – NO RESULT

24^TH FEBRUARY  AT NORTHERNS GOODWOOD CC)

DEVON 115 (D BESS 32*)

WP U15S 116 – 0

WP WON BY 10 WICKETS.

STATISTICS