|
The 2011 Squad
C.Eaves (captain);J.Abbott; T.Ansell; H.Booker; M.Curtis; J.Dart; R.Davies; M.Golding; P.Heard; O.Higgs; A.Hunt; J.Mailling; Ps.Mawalage; Pv.Mawalage; C.Miles; J.Popham; E.Rice; J.Richardson; S.Wyatt-Haines; G.Yates.
The 2011 season was always going to be a difficult one, demands from Somerset and England U19s and school tours to Sri Lanka and Barbados had already ensured that, but most unfortunately it was also a very disappointing summer with the performance at Milton Keyns a really low point. Fortunately there were some highlights and some exceptional individual performances but in general the team failed to achieve the level sought from a Devon side at this age level.
It was an inexperienced side that headed to Southampton without one selected member, under 15, Sam Wyatt-Haines, who was involved with the West on the Monday. He subsequently joined the team for the two day game. On arrival at the friendly Elizabeth House Hotel it was evident that not all was well with the scorer who immediately retired to her room and did not resurface, apart from visits to a local doctor, until Wednesday afternoon. The chaos her illness created only confirmed how much she has been taken for granted all these years. A visit to the Pizza parlour, opposite, provided some real confusion but eventually the scorer’s appetite was met with a single Hawaiian. Being a Sunday we had been unable to book in at our chosen hostelry, the Ham Farm, but we risked it anyway. They were full, as indeed was the car park, and after a minor rumpus with a female motorist the coach showed his full worth. He got onto his iPhone and took us into Southampton. He navigated us into a Frankie and Benny and it all worked out well with a well received meal. Next day car insurance policies were checked, named drivers added and we journeyed to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1998. It was impressive then but over the thirteen years has really grown and is now a very impressive stadium. The Nursery Ground also remains an attractive and pleasant venue and with the sun out, blue sky and excellent practice facilities the much awaited season was suddenly on us. The disappointing news was transmitted to the outstanding Hampshire scorer, Jan Trodd, that she would have to carry the scoring for the next three days and that she would have to work with a well meaning amateur. In truth she could not have been more helpful and made what could have been a difficult situation incredibly easy.
Craig Eaves won the toss for our one day 50 over game and batted. The Devon openers set off well as Max Curtis and Joe Abbott put on the highest opening partnership of the summer. The seventy-two was forty-one runs higher than the next best and over the season the failure to get reasonable starts created immense pressure. However in the sun a solid foundation was laid in twenty-three overs when Abbott, the 2010 batsman of the year, was caught behind off the home side’s captain, Haggaty, for what was a season’s best 33. Curtis and Golding added twenty-seven but one short of three figures Curtis was also caught by McManus, the second of the keeper’s four catches, this one was off Wood for thirty. Devon then lost three wickets in putting on another thirty runs. Josh Mailling fell in an identical fashion to Curtis on one hundred and five and one ball later Rhys Davies copied him. With the score on one hundred and twenty-nine and thirty-eight overs utilised the captain became Wood’s fourth wicket, caught Marriott. A push was now needed and Devon scored at over seven an over for the final twelve. Golding and George Yates put on thirty-five off forty-one balls before Matt Golding was next out, caught captain Haggaty, bowled Thew, for a sixty-one ball forty-five. Passi Mawalage hit two fours in his fourteen ball thirteen and Devon were still short of runs on 191-7. One run later debutant Charlie Miles ran himself out on the first ball of the penultimate over and Devon were now well below par at 192-8 with eleven balls left. George Yates had been batting splendidly and with Jack Richardson a further twenty-four were added, nineteen off the last over. Yates was undefeated on forty-seven (fifty-one balls, five fours and two sixes) and Richardson contributed three off six deliveries.
Hampshire won the game with the second ball of the forty-seventh over with opener Halson undefeated three short of a hundred. With Green he had put on eighty-five for the first wicket in twenty-two overs when Max Curtis drew Green forward for a caught and bowled. Forty-seven were added for the second wicket off forty-five balls before Marriott was deceived by Pavi to be bowled. The partnerships continued and Hampshire were fifty-five short when Paul Heard bowled Mills in the thirty-seventh over. Devon took their fourth and final wicket in the forty-fourth over when Charlie Miles took his first county wicket by bowling Scott. There had been some expensive spells but Heard, Curtis and Miles went for less than four an over. The scorer reported no improvement, despite her first visit to a doctor and tablets and she would rely on room service. The Harvester car park caused no problems with the locals and the side were in reasonably good heart. The arrival of Wyatt-Haines fortunately did not affect the confidence.
Again reasonable weather greeted our second morning in Southampton and for Devon it was to be a new experience as they tied on first innings. Hampshire won the toss and batted and before the thirty-eighth over had been completed they were all out for 129. The feature of Devon’s performance in the field was their outstanding catching behind the wicket by the keeper and slips, it was exceptional. The first five wickets fell in this way. Davies held his first catch off Heard to remove the normally prolific Gibson, Wyatt Haines took his first neat one off Richardson to remove Marriott and his second one to send George up the bank and give Heard his second wicket. It was 50-4 off twelve when second slip Max Curtis joined in and Scott was Paul Heard's third wicket for eighteen runs. The previous day’s top scorer, Halson was next out well caught behind to provide Josh Mailling with his first wicket. Jack Richardson’s catch off Mailling broke the spell as Green was dismissed after over an hour at the crease. The seventh wicket fell on the same score of ninety when Davies held his third catch to give Mailling a third wicket. Lunch was taken with Hampshire on 95-7 off thirty-one overs. The home side batted another thirty minutes after the interval to put on thirty-four valuable runs. The Hampshire captain was run out, Wood was caught behind (Davies fourth catch) and three balls later King was caught in the slip cordon by Curtis. Josh Mailling ended with 5-15 off 7.4 overs. A remarkable first bowl for the seventeens by the Plympton all-rounder. This was the bowling and fielding performance of the summer with Paul Heard’s contribution of 3-39 off eleven a vital ingredient.
Matthew Golding followed up his top score the previous day with another vital forty as Devon lost wickets at regular intervals. Joe Abbot was out on the sixth delivery of the innings leg before playing across the line, his opening partner Max Curtis, had faced fourteen when Haggaty bowled him and the West of England captain lasted twenty-two balls before he was caught. Devon were now in trouble on 19-3 off twelve overs, with still another one hundred and eleven needed, Josh Mailling dug in and put on with Golding the highest partnership of the innings. They took Devon up to forty-nine when Mailling’s patience came to end, edging Haggaty to MacManus for an important fifty-four ball thirteen. Golding had contributed twenty runs at this stage – the twenty-ninth over. Overs and time were not a concern it would simply be a battle to get in front. At 102-9 this looked decidedly unlikely Davies and Golding put on fourteen in twenty minutes, Eaves and Golding eighteen in a similar time frame and Yates and Golding put on thirteen in one minute under a quarter of an hour. Charlie Miles decided that attack was the best approach hitting a boundary but was bowled by Gibson after facing eight balls. Hampshire took the vital wicket of Golding at one hundred and two when he was caught by Gibson off King. He had been the master of restraint and had fought and fought for his side facing one hundred and twenty-one balls, hitting five fours and batting for twenty minutes short of three hours. Defeat on first innings and a potential outright loss were in most peoples thoughts with Paul Heard and Jack Richardson at the crease. They in fact very nearly achieved a minor miracle batting for forty-four minutes, facing eighty-five balls and taking the score up to equal their opponents. Both had looked in complete control of the situation and now it seemed inevitable that Devon would like first innings points. The image remains in the mind even to this day, Heard squirted the ball, charged and there was even a scream from the stand in scorer to get back and he was run out. Although a disappointing end product this rear guard action had been pretty impressive and the side had shown some character. Hampshire faced thirty balls from Heard and Mailling and scored one run off the third delivery of the third over. The doctor had been revisited, more drugs and the Harvester again resuscitated the troops.
The logistical problem of three vehicles and only two fit drivers was resolved thanks to the Board’s Chairman, Jim Wood, who exceptionally kindly responded to the SOS and joined us around lunchtime. The third day at the Rose Bowl turned into another nerve racking affair. Even a visit from our Performance Consultant failed to relieve the tension. Hampshire batted until 2.50pm, utilising fifty-two of the day’s quota of one hundred and two overs, leaving Devon to have to survive fifty. The Hampshire openers put on 64, the second wicket fell one run past the hundred and the third wicket at one hundred and six. Max Curtis caught and bowled both George and Marriott and Pavi Mawalage had Halson caught by Wyatt-Haines. Gibson was making good his rare low score the previous day but was fourth out for sixty-eight, caught behind by Davies off Pavi with Hampshire on one hundred and thirteen after thirty-two overs. Hampshire then set about building a decent lead in order to declare. They scored one hundred and twenty-one off twenty-four overs with Ryan Scott not out fifty-six. Devon employed nine bowlers with Matt Golding picking up a couple of wickets, Charlie Miles bowled Green and Max Curtis took a third wicket with a catch from Mailling. His final figures were 3-50 off fourteen. For the second day Devon would now have to show some resilience and character. It was noticeable on the first day that Wood, who had taken four wickets, had gained success with the short pitched ball. So, as expected, the home side’s strategy was to bowl short. This was the first time that such a form of attack had been so concerted. One only has to watch the excellent documentary – Fire in Babylon – to appreciate how successful this form of attack has been! To check on fair play our coach ended up at square leg. This line of attack was very successful as all of the seven wickets to fall were caught and the majority with the batsman fending off the ball. Devon were reduced to 52-5 after twenty-five overs with Matt King now the most successful bowler taking 3-21 off fourteen. Rhys Davies and Craig Eves put on forty-seven for the sixth wicket but more importantly taking up one hundred and five balls and fifty-eight minutes. Davies played a most uncharacteristic innings but most certainly one for the side in scoring seven of the partnership off fifty-five balls. The captain was playing a masterful innings combining defence with attack. The pair had made a draw a real possibility and, with potentially only ten overs left in the day, Davies dogged innings came to an end with the score on ninety-nine. Although nine runs later Yates was bounced out, there were then probably only twenty-four balls left with three wickets remaining. Eighteen balls later at ten past six the game was concluded, with Eaves unbeaten on forty-eight (seventy-eight balls; eighty-six minutes and equally importantly five fours and two sixes) and the impressive Paul Heard not out one. The scorer and dogs had been retrieved from the Elizabeth House who had been exceptionally helpful to the invalid throughout our stay, Matt Wood sped off to Nottinghamshire but not before he had congratulated the players on what was to be the best all round performance of the summer and the highest points return of thirteen. We thanked, for the last time, Hampshire’s amazingly co-operative scorer and were on our way home with heads held high.
Having stayed up in North Devon overnight, there was absolutely no chance that the first ever county under 17 game at Bideford would go ahead. It had rained heavily for what seemed an eternity and an early call to the club confirmed play was most unlikely. Somerset were immediately alerted that it would almost certainly to be a wasted visit. They decided they were coming any way so we all met up at Westward Ho! It was still raining, puddles growing in size, incredibly dark and the expanded coaching team of Wood and Huxtable realised there was no possibility of play. We were superbly catered for by Bideford, the umpires conferred and the game was called off. This was really unfortunate as the North Devon Club had pulled out all the stops to host us and hopefully a senior youth team will be playing there in the not too distant future. A photo of the West of England captain was taken for the website and it was good to catch up with Craig Overton (Jamie was away on England business). At one stage it had been hoped that Craig would be available for the Somerset games. Later in the day the Atlantic Village and Bideford were visited and there was real doubt if the two day game at Instow would get started the following day.
It was indeed gloomy and very overcast on arrival at Instow, the home of the 2011 Devon League Champions. As always North Devon were pulling out all the stops and, although a delayed start was forecasted, play would take place. With Matt Wood required in Nottinghamshire the following day, the coaching duties were to be shared and he was now joined by Joe Smith, who would also be travelling with the side up to Wales the following week. An excellent early lunch was taken before Devon won the toss and batted. George Yates had been expected to play a vital part during the 2011 season, particularly after his outstanding exploits in 2010. However he had not been feeling well the previous week and was again not feeling one hundred percent. An SOS was sent to Tom Ansell, who although he had retired from county cricket over the winter, lived locally. He very kindly responded to the appeal with a yes and at 1.38pm was opening with Joe Abbot. Abbott and Ansell had featured in a first wicket partnership of seventy-eight against Somerset in 2010 at Taunton Vale and Joe Abbott had helped Michael Cousens put on one hundred and eighteen at Instow against the same opponents a year previously. The Somerset side of 2011 had four changes to the side beaten by Devon and the home side had six indicating the changes in fortunes over the winter. One of Somerset’s new players was the speedy Davies, a student at Millfield, as they nearly all were, who was down from Cheshire, his previous county. It was his partner Williams who bowled Ansell with the score on eleven. Max Curtis and Abbott put on thirty-two in sixteen overs before Curtis was caught by Hartley off Easton. Our coach, who of course is a former Somerset player, very generously allowed the Somerset side, who did not have any of their own, the use of a set of Devon’s fielders’ pads, much to the annoyance of his side and management. The result was of course three catches at short leg, with Curtis the first dismissed in this way. One run later Joe Abbott fell in identical fashion. Golding and Mailling added forty in thirty-six minutes but, having looked in little difficulty, Josh Mailling was bowled for thirty. He was well set and should have batted on. Sam Wyatt-Haines and Golding took Devon to tea with the score on 107-4 off forty-six overs and the game was interestingly balanced. The tea time pair took the score up to one hundred and fifty-two before key batter Matt Golding was dismissed, bowled by Rose. This had been another example of Golding's temperament and ability. He had faced one hundred and fifty seven balls, hitting three fours in his thirty-nine. As with Mailling, it was unfortunate that he also did not bat on. Then ten minutes later Devon were again under pressure with the loss of the captain for two out of a three run partnership. He was Barrett’s first wicket caught Rouse. Over the next forty-six balls under 15 Wyatt-Haines and under 16 Rhys Davis took Devon up to one hundred and sixty-five but then Davies was the seventh batsman out, Barrett’s second wicket and Hartley’s third catch. The new ball was immediately taken but Wyatt-Haines and Passi Mawalage survived with little concern until close of play, with Devon seven short of the second batting point and three wickets in hand. Wyatt-Haines had displayed remarkable maturity in difficult circumstances being close to his fifty. Passi Mawalage confirmed his potential as a batter, being calmness personified. His inability to bowl all summer, due to a long standing injury, necessitated such a contribution as he was now known as our non-bowling all rounder!
More overnight rain taxed the excellent North Devon ground team and again an early lunch was the order of the day. Somewhat acrimonious discussions resulted in it being accepted that Devon would be entitled to bat a further five overs leaving Somerset potentially 63 overs to chase. The game restarted at 2.44pm and it was essential that Devon fully utilised their remaining thirty balls. They were all out off the penultimate ball of their innings having scored twenty-six runs and the second batting point being achieved in the second over of the day. The overnight pair scored another twenty-four runs to take their vital partnership up to fifty-two. Mawalage, who continued to look in fine fettle, was unnecessarily run out with Devon on 217 then the wheels fell off! Next over and one run later Heard, on his home ground, played across the line and was leg before and one further run later a second suicidal run out terminated Jack Richardson’s and Devon’s innings with Sam Wyatt-Haines high and dry, the tide was out, unbeaten on an exceptional sixty-one. It was a repeat of the Golding innings in character and skill but with a higher end product. He had faced one hundred and sixty-five balls in over three hours at the crease hitting six fours. Needing just under three and a half an over Devon would have to put their opponents under real pressure for the rest of the day. Tom Ansell took a catch at mid off to remove Smith off Richardson’s twelfth delivery to leave Somerset 11-1. No further wickets were taken up to tea with Somerset now well set for victory on 124-1 off thirty-four overs. Eaves had now turned to his spinners as Somerset had taken a liking to his seamers. Somerset lost their second wicket in the fifth over after the interval when Heard held a catch off Max Curtis to remove Hopper for eighty-two. His side still needed seventy-seven runs for first innings points with twenty-four overs remaining. It should have been and indeed it became a stroll in the park as the target was passed in the fifty-fourth over and the pair at the crease went on to put on an unbeaten one hundred and eighteen gaining an extra batting point. Somerset were 261-2 at ten past seven when the overs ran out. Jenkins was one hundred and twenty-six not out and Rouse thirty-two. A splendid batting performance in what were ever improving conditions. This was Devon’s lowest ever return in two day cricket and the exasperation and huge disappointment was expressed in a torrid post match discussion. This broke one of the most important management rules do not let rip after a loss and was subsequently regretted.
Devon travelled up on the morning of the game to the attractive Pentag ground looking for a much improved performance. Richardson was away on holiday, Yates was now a long term absentee and Wyatt-Haines was captaining the West at nearby Monmouth School. In came Harry Booker, fresh from his trip to Asia, Elliot Rice fresh from his under 19 century and Jack Popham fresh from Barnstaple! Devon won the toss and fielded. Wales scored at over five an over in reaching an impressive two hundred and fifty-seven for eight. They lost their first two wickets with twenty on the impressive electronic scoreboard. After beating all the batsmen in the air, Craig Eaves, in his most penetrating spell of the summer, had both Griffiths and the Welsh captain Holmes leg before. Unfortunately eighty-four were added for the third wicket in four minutes over the hour when Harry Booker took his first county wicket of the summer. He hit Lewis-Williams pads in front of the stumps with the batsman just past his fifty. It soon became 118-4 with the umpires giving their fourth leg before of the innings and Booker’s second as Murphy was out one short of his fifty. However over the next twenty-two overs the Devon bowlers were hit for 6.32 an over. All of the Welsh batters now made useful contributions: Read was caught Eaves, bowled Heard 30; Morgan, the captain’s second catch this time off the Braunton off spinner, made 26; Pavi Mawalage threw to Rhys Davies to run out the keeper’s name sake for 30; a direct hit from the captain completed an outstanding personal afternoon in the field to run out Griffiths for 33 and four runs were added for the ninth wicket.
This was likely to be a testing experience for the seventeens, as it was the second highest fifty over score conceded by a Devon side. They made a very good fist of it, getting to within nine runs due mainly to the middle order combining forces to put their hosts under some real pressure. Second ball Joe Abbot was the fifth leg before of the day, trying to force through mid wicket. The two spinners, Booker and Max Curtis, put on twenty-eight before Booker was caught. Curtis and Golding had taken Devon up to fifty-nine off fourteen overs when Curtis was the final leg before of the game. Devon reached three figures in their twenty-seventh over and in the thirty-first lost Josh Mailling for another cameo of twenty-five in a vital partnership of fifty-nine – the best of the innings. Unfortunately this partnership had been interrupted for thirty-two minutes when a spectator collapsed by the bottom sight screen suffering a fit. The emergency services were summoned, with the first responder arriving promptly followed by an ambulance. This was most unsettling for both sides. Devon needed to light the touch paper and the best player in the squad for such a situation is Rhys Davis and he did not disappoint, playing his innings of the summer and striking the ball as only he can. With Matt Golding he put on forty-seven in twenty minutes off thirty-nine balls. Davies scored thirty-four off nineteen including three straight sixes and two fours, hittting Coates for twenty off four deliveries. This was the impetus the side had badly needed but anchor Golding finally fell in the thirty-eight over for an eighty-four ball forty-four. The situation Devon was in still looked difficult. They had one hundred and sixty-five runs on the board and one hundred and sixteen balls to score the ninety-three runs needed. At 207- 9 off forty-four point two overs the game appeared over as Griffiths was in a vital spell that finished with figures of 5-45 off seven point one overs. The last wicker pairing of Passi Mawalage and Paul Heard nearly worked the miracle putting on forty-one off twenty-eight balls in eighteen minutes. This had been the result of excellent running and some clean hitting. Passi struck four fours and Heard two. Devon needed nine runs off their last six balls with Mawalage on strike, he miscued the first ball to give Coates a catch and Griffiths his final wicket. Wales had at least known they had been in a fight and their response to this wicket confirmed the view. There had been some exhilarating cricket from both sides. Now we had to find the Pontypool Travelodge. This was achieved with little difficulty and a convenient Harvester was passed. We were booked into the John Capel Hanbury Witherspoon in Pontypool and were soon on our way. This time locating it was a little more difficulty as it was situated in the middle of town. The venue proved satisfactory and we booked in for breakfast for the next two mornings.
Next day, we had not considered that the parking restrictions might kick in so early so after depositing the team a suitable parking space was sought. This became increasingly infuriating until Joe Smith took pity on the coach driver and used the famous Smith initiative. He found a vacant office block with parking! A message was left on the windscreen with fingers firmly crossed. Breakfast was fine, the bus retrieved without a forfeit. We found the ground which was part of a huge Sports Park including the town’s football stadium. It looked, and indeed proved to be, a good modern facility. A nasty road accident delayed some of the home players and parents on their way up from the West Country. Wales won the toss and batted and were slightly above par at 121-3 at lunch with an impressive thirty-four overs bowled by Devon. In fact the three wickets to fall had been taken before the home side had reached fifty, three good catches, two from the captain and one from Joe Abbot. The visitors had made the most of the new ball with two wickets for Popham and one for his North Devon side kick Paul Heard. Unhappily the fourth wicket added one hundred and twenty-seven and it was not before the forty-eighth over that Devon took their fourth wicket. Pavi Mawalage trapped (different umpires) Griffiths leg before for a fine sixty-two. Gradually Devon got back into the contest and at tea Wales were 232-6. Read was caught off Harry Booker and the important wicket of Murphy was taken when Golding held him off Pavi, three short of his ton. However the final four wickets put on ninety-four which took the game away from Devon. The final wicket fell at twenty-four minutes past five after the pair had put on thirty. The eighth had put on thirty-six and it was an irritating period. Curtis had Davies caught by Passi, Heard picked up his second wicket trapping Lewis-Williams in front, he dismissed Coates in the same fashion to complete another useful contribution (3-54) and Curtis took yet another caught and bowled to take the final wicket. Now it would be a difficult twenty-six minutes and five overs for Devon. Abbot was taken out of the firing line and Elliott Rice opened with Harry Booker. They did well, taking Devon up to twenty-two without loss.
The John Capel Hanbury again looked after the party, we became temporary tenants of the office block for a second day and a decent batting performance would be the order of the day. Before the game resumed it was good to catch up with John Derrick and learn of the fortunes of the West at the Bunbury Festival. The overnight batters were initially in no difficulty but Phillips struck in the sixth over of the morning when he bowled Booker for twenty-one. Curtis then joined Rice and again the pair looked comfortable. Then a dreaded run out changed the tempo of the game. It never ceases to amaze how fortunes can change by such simple things but a poor call resulted in an abrupt end to Rice’s promising start and, as it transpired, a conclusion to his under 17s’ season. He had faced fifty-eight balls and was undertaking the role for which he had been selected. It was a rare failure for Matt Golding but Passi, Josh Mailling and Rhys Davies all got in and then got out caught. Devon were now 169 for 6 with at least forty-four overs remaining in the day. Max Curtis had dropped anchor and it would be vital for his side that he batted the day. He was now joined by Joe Abbott whose form had been disappointing after his success the previous summer. They took their side up to tea and seventy-four overs into the day with Devon fifteen runs short of the second bonus point with four wickets in hand. In fact the pair took their side to within two runs of the two hundred. After eighty-five overs the new ball was taken and it had an almost instant impact, as in the eighty-seventh over two wickets were lost. Max Curtis’s vigil came to an end three hours and forty-nine minutes after it had started at twenty-two minutes past eleven. He had faced nearly forty-two overs and hit four boundaries, he was bowled by Phillips. Next ball the captain chipped the same bowler for a duck and next over Abbott was bowled. The under 16s Popham and Heard were asked to at least obtain the second batting point which they achieved only for Heard to be bowled one run later. This capitulation was disappointing and now the side would have to face a Twenty20 onslaught from the Welsh batters as they had potentially eighteen overs to get a bonus point or two. They declared after reaching three figures and it was mutually agreed that Devon would get on the road. Through spinners Max Curtis (1-20) and Harry Booker (3-41) Devon also picked up a point as Wales scored at just over eight an over. Mailling took a catch and one of the best fielders in the side, Golding, held a stupendous diving catch at long off. At least Devon had picked up seven points but the Worcestershire result was potentially pivotal to the county retaining premier status.
Exmouth was the venue for our final home game and a difficult conversation had with Joe Abbott. This is by far the most difficult aspect of being involved in youth cricket and to advise the 2010 Batsman of the Year that he had not been selected was extremely difficult. He accepted it with the good grace you would anticipate from such an excellent character. Rice was unavailable, but Wyatt-Haines returned to the fold and a debut was given to under 16 Jack Dart who had scored a fine hundred for the nineteens against Surrey. There was a surprising sting in the tail to a record breaking game on a typical flat Exmouth pitch. After a slight hiccup in 2010 the hospitality at the Maer returned to the high standards of previous years, we received a very warm welcome and our hosts could not have done more for us. Devon won the toss and Passi’s conversion from non bowling all rounder to front line opener was completed when he was invited to accompany Harry Booker to the crease. The disappointing run of opening partnerships continued when after thirty-four balls the taller Mawalage was bowled, trying to work the ball to leg. Max Curtis was unable to repeat his epic innings against Wales when he too was bowled for nine after he had help advance Devon’s score to forty off nineteen overs. Booker and Matt Golding took Devon up to lunch at 94-2 with the visitors’ over rate an excellent eighteen and a half an hour. The pair were completing the only century partnership of the summer. This in itself was a major disadvantage as large partnerships mean large scores. On this occasion the pair were cruising when Booker suddenly started to appear frustrated and in the fifty-ninth over he was caught and bowled by Brown. He was five past his maiden county fifty and this was REALLY an opportunity for him to have batted through as the pair were taking the home side into a very strong position. Golding was in sublime form and had scored eighty of the partnership of one hundred and fourteen. Here we go again, add on two wickets and Devon fell away from 161-2 to 174-5. Wyatt-Haines and Mailling were both caught. Fortunately Rhys Davies again stepped up to the plate and with Golding put on the second best stand of the season – ninety-seven. At tea Devon were double Nelson for five with twenty-seven overs left in the day. Golding was now well past his hundred but it was Rhys Davis who was the dominant partner. He reached his first two day fifty of the summer in 57 balls. The new ball was taken as soon as it was available and with its twelfth delivery, and Devon on two hundred and seventy-one, Davies was caught. This had been batting at its best, the highest sixth wicket partnership of the summer was off only one hundred and eight balls. The time was just after half past five and, thanks to Worcestershire’s outstanding over rate, there were still 123 balls left in the day (Worcestershire had travelled down on the day and play started at noon). Tactics were discussed but they all hinged on getting past three hundred and getting sufficient runs on the board. Jack Dart and Matt Golding kept up the momentum with a decisive partnership of seventy-one off eighty four balls. Golding was now past his one hundred and fifty! Dart’s great ability to manipulate the ball was vital, he is another compact batsman but with a laid back temperament! They not only secured the final batting point but put Devon within reach of three fifty. Dart’s thirty-one ball twenty-two was an integral ingredient of the side’s final total. Golding’s extraordinary innings came to an end at the same score three hundred and forty-two at thirty-four minutes past six. This had been a remarkable innings and his one hundred and seventy-one was third highest score at youth level, behind Matt Cook’s two hundred and one and the coach’s one hundred and ninety-one. Incidentally all three scored at Exmouth. Golding’s stats are pretty impressive – two hundred and twenty-seven balls (one hundred and thirty-six dot balls), two hundred and forty-six minutes, twenty-one fours and a strike rate of seventy-five point three. He had been at the crease while two hundred and ninety-four runs were added, a VERY special contribution. Popham and Eaves put on eleven before Popham was out with still thirty-seven balls left in the day. They were utilised well with twenty-two precious runs being scored and at close of play Devon still had one wicket remaining with three hundred and seventy-five runs on the board off one hundred and five overs. The home side had demonstrated that they actually had the ability to play the two day game with great affect but as always you need one batsman to make a BIG score and at least two partnerships around the hundred, preferably over the three figures.
Devon now had to decide if they had enough runs or to bat on for another twenty odd. One advantage of batting on is that you have an option on the roller before play commences but such a decision is always fraught with danger and invariably back fires. Utilising additional overs is often useful and bonus runs do annoy the fielding side. Another twenty-five would have been useful over half a dozen overs. The captain exposed Heard to four balls of the first over and Heard was beaten for pace on the fourth delivery. Worcestershire would have to score at 3.77 an over, a big task which the record books indicated had never been achieved batting second. For sixty-eight overs it looked as if the record book would have a new entry. Worcestershire reached tea with the score board reading 221-0! Eight bowlers had been employed and Ollie Steel, who bats for the Royals’ twos, was past his hundred. Sixty-six overs had been bowled so Worcestershire had a minimum of two hundred and four balls to score the one hundred and fifty-eight runs still needed and critically they had all ten wickets in hand. The batting side’s attitude at tea obviously considered job done and Matt Wood would have to convince his side that that was most certainly not the case. The final session of the day was the best of the summer as somehow the tables were completely turned. It was Worcestershire who were hanging on at the end and, if a spontaneous appeal for a catch at forward short leg had gone the way of the fielding side, a truly remarkable victory could have been achieved. After Booker took the important wicket of Steel caught behind for one hundred and nine and the captain sent back his partner Hingley, caught by Booker for one hundred and ten, it was all Max Curtis, who turned the game upside down with a spell of nine overs, one maiden, twenty-one runs and six wickets. Worcester fell away from 224-0 off four hundred and fifteen balls to 287-6 in the space of a further one hundred and sixteen balls. Cadmore was caught Eaves, Rhodes, son of, was caught Golding, Tongue bowled, Drury was Golding’s second catch, all these wickets off the off spinner. Worcester had to keep at it, having thought the game was won. The seventh wicket had put on thirty-one off twenty-four when Pollock E was stumped Davies, 318-7, and then the shutters came down. Bowen was Curtis’s final victim and Golding’s third catch. The home side were positive they had taken another close catch but it not given and the ninth wicket finally put on an unbeaten seventeen off forty-five balls, even Golding bowled a maiden! The post tea session just confirmed what great cricket the two day competition can provide. These were two memorable days play, with the league leaders gaining a better return of the spoils by taking away an extra bowling point. As with Hampshire Devon had demonstrated they can compete with the best, something they desperately wanted to prove over the two days in Milton Keynes.
From league champions in 2010 to holders of the wooden spoon in 2011, Devon were rooted at the bottom of the table and were due to play Essex in the play-off. It transpired that the previous winter Essex had declined to take part in this part of the season but no one had bothered to advise our group. So we were left with a mini-bus with nowhere to go! Buckinghamshire were in a similar situation so instead of travelling to Billericay we were off to Milton Keynes. Having advised the squad we would not be going anywhere, a couple of hours later they were relayed the good news we would be travelling. We had some selection posers, with Rhys Davis now meeting relatives from New Zealand, a wicket-keeper had to be found. Paul Heard had pulled up lame for the sixteens the previous week and Jack Popham had an appointment at the Oval. It was decided that Passi, who had done some glove work at Plymouth College, would be invited to contact his cricket master to get the appropriate kit and take up the role to fulfil his all rounder billing. The good news was that George Yates was feeling better and he was recalled and Alex Hunt and Ollie Higgs, who had both impressed with the sixteens, were drafted into the squad. Buckinghamshire had booked us into a pleasant Holiday Inn and the side were in good heart on a reasonable but long journey. The chosen Harvester was not up to scratch but we were looking forward to two good days’ cricket. Campbell Park was another first class facility, reminiscent of cricket complexes down under. A purpose built cricket facility owned and run by the local authority with a ground staff used to hosting minor and first class cricket. Matt Wood met up with James Hildreth’s father and the coach had decided to hold X Factor auditions for the keeper’s position. In hindsight this was perhaps not a wise move as the side’s leading batsman, Matt Golding, received three yes votes and then kept wicket for eighty-three tiring overs. It was very overcast and there was rain in the air when Devon won the toss and fielded. Their bowlers set about their hosts and reduced them to 57-6 off twenty-eight overs. Eaves was in his Welsh form, opening up he took two in two in his second over with two legs before. The umpires had recently handled our senior side and completed what had been a summer of officials of the highest quality. Nought for two became seventeen for three when Josh Mailling was awarded the third leg before of the session. Opener Russell was immoveable and was to win the game for his side with a vital stubborn innings. At the other end Alex Hunt bowled Gardner and the fifth wicket fell on fifty-five when Zaib was caught Pavi bowled Booker. A short rain break delayed the sixth wicket when Booker took his second wicket thanks to another neat catch from Wyatt-Haines and more rain brought lunch forward. Post interval the seventh wicket had put on forty-one when Pavi dummied and threw to keeper Golding to run out Sheil. Devon now lost their way and the game. From 98-7 Bucks proceeded to score another ninety-three runs off one hundred and fifty-four balls. Russell was the anchor (he should have been run out on 25) and Maciver (dropped on one) his attacking foil. He hit eleven fours in his sixty-six but fell in the sixty-seventh over and the second after tea, caught Higgs bowled Hunt. The obstinate opener was now eight past his fifty which had come off one hundred and forty-nine balls. Forty runs were added for the last two wickets, Humphries was leg before to Booker (3-57) and last out was Russell caught Golding bowled Eaves (3-41). He had hit eight fours faced one hundred and seventy-six dot balls in the two hundred and thirty-three balls he faced and he had batted for four hours forty minutes. Not a pretty innings but one that won the game for his side.
Josh Mailling opened with Booker and they had nineteen overs to face. They reached the fourteenth over with no mishap when yet another run out turned the game – maddening. The leadership team then made an unwise call, whereas Passi had been the delegated night watchman by the coach, they invited George, who had been away from the game for three weeks, to pad up and join Booker. Whatever their motives this was the wrong decision and Yates’ involvement in the game lasted ten balls. Devon were now uncomfortably placed at 29-2. Close of play was reached without further loss and thirty-four runs on the board. Devon needed one hundred and ninety-seven runs the following day to achieve a solitary win in the summer. For the only time all summer the scorer and coach disagreed over the evening venue and remarkably the coach won the day. On arrival the on tap soft drinks system was not working and we had to accept the more expensive bottled liquid refreshment. This had been another disappointing day when pressure had not been exerted and opportunities were not taken. Matt Wood made a telling private comment about attitudes and it was time for bed.
Again the morning was overcast and, with no addition to the overnight score, Harry Booker was back in the modern pavilion before his father had arrived. What was considered to be he key partnership of the day between the senior pros of Curtis and Golding had only added another twenty when the previous day exertions caught up with Golding and Devon were four down still needing another one hundred and seventy-seven. Ollie Higgs was next to fall and half of the Devon side were now out for seventy-one. Devon did not lose another wicket before lunch as Jack Dart and Max Curtis gave the visitors some hope. Lunch came at 114-5 with two sessions to score another one hundred and eighteen. Unfortunately with another eight runs on the board the sixth wicket pairing was split when Max Curtis’s county season came to an end stumped for fifty-two. Dart was proving what an asset he had become and hopefully he will build on this in 2012. Unfortunately he received little assistance at the other end as the last four wickets put on sixty-three of which thirty-nine came off Dart’s bat. Wyatt-Haines chipped a caught and bowled, the captain lasted twenty-five minutes, Passi eighteen minutes when the home side took the new ball and he was out leg before off the last bowl of its first over. Pavi made his debut as a batsman to some confusion as he went to the wrong end, took guard when he was the non striker! He lasted another twenty minutes but Devon were back in the dressing room at twenty minutes past three. Tea was taken, Devon departed but not before the sixteens were taken aside and explained that although it was not their fault this was not the type of performance expected from a Devon side. It was not just the two in the back of the Passatt that left with their tails between their legs. This had been a really sad way to conclude the season and, as a group, their time together. We made our final Service Station stop and departed from Exeter Services with some real sorry and sad good byes to another fine group of young cricketers who had, due to circumstances partially outside their control, had an off summer.
This had been a curate’s egg of a season; some exciting and enthralling cricket, Wales one day, Hampshire and Worcestershire, the side holding their own but on other occasions, as over the last two days of the summer, being outplayed by their opponents. In no way intended as an excuse but realistically few teams could adapt to the loss of players of the calibre of the Overton Twins. They both deservedly made their debuts for England Under 17s and it was obvious from deepest winter that they would not feature strongly for us but their potential seven hundred runs, thirty wickets and fifteen catches were greatly missed. The senior players did strive hard but seemed to lose their way on occasions and, although the youngsters performed well, it would have been unfair to expect too much from them consistently. It was a difficult season for Matt Wood to join us but he earnt the respect of his players and he made an important impact on the side. He too learnt a lot about age group cricket and will be an even better coach for it. Craig Eaves was not always fully fit but kept the side together in difficult circumstances, fielded well, bowled two exceptional spells and his innings at the Rose Bowl ensured the draw. Matt Golding was the Batsman and Player of the Year and his innings at Exmouth will remain with most of us for ever. On the plus side the return of Max Curtis, after a year out, helped us enormously and his batting, bowling and catching played an important part in the side keeping its head above water. Harry Booker, who joined us a third of the way through the summer, did not make the impact he had in 2010 but the side was stronger for his presence. The youngsters will all have important parts to play in 2012 and will have gained a great deal from the experience. They will be the nucleus of next year’s side which fortunately, based on previous performances, retained its place in the top division. However we will not be allowed to have a similar season as this one in 2012. Our thanks to all the first-rate umpires – both home and away, our hosts North Devon and Exmouth were fantastic – both brilliantly welcoming where no whim was too great. The scorer’s three chauffeurs, Jim and Matt Wood and Joe Smith enabled us to have a full complement of staff and enabled our scorer to complete another year. The coaches Matt Wood and Joe Smith kept us all onside and it was unfortunate that Barnie Huxtable was unable to earn his spurs at Bideford. There will be no predictions for 2012 but it is vital for Devon cricket that there is a marked improvement in our point gathering. |
