Devon Cricket Board - A Disapointing return to Sandford

We were approaching this game with some real expectancy as we were back, after a short break, at one of our favourite grounds, Sandford. We also had our top five batters all available together for potentially the only week this summer with Dan Powell now fit and Ben Green not needed elsewhere. However Reid Mawdsley had been called in for an unprogrammed operation and he was likely to be missed in a number of ways. After some useful performances for Plymouth’s first team Joe Hagan-Burt responded to the call and two tactical changes were made to the side that had played Somerset. This provided opportunities for the inform Jamie Drew and Matthew Petherbridge. The first day started overcast but brightened up as the game progressed. Wales called correctly and Devon were again in the field. Ollie Dawe struck in his first over having Thornton caught behind by the still reluctant keeper Dan Powell. Dawe took his second wicket with the fifth ball of his third over when he had Thorpe-Yon leg before. The batter was to have a nightmare three days in Devon falling in an identical fashion every time he batted! Green completed his first spell of seven overs having conceded twenty-six runs. His partner Dawe had also conceded the same number of runs at the end of his spell. The captain made his first changes maintaining the same letter at each end Dan Goodey took over from Green and Jamie Drew reliving Dawe. After twenty overs Wales had started to recover the situation reaching eighty-five. Four overs later Drew took his sides third wicket with Joe Hagan-Burt confidently taking the catch. Honours were even at lunch with Wales 137-3. Pork in cider with pastry crust was enjoyed along with crumble and ice cream. If it had been an honourable draw in the first session Devon took the second. In the next thirty-three overs Devon took the remaining seven wickets conceding just 89 runs. Third over after lunch Ben Green took a neat catch off the captain with three runs having been added. The skipper took the next wicket having Brown really well caught by Skeemer at short leg. He had only just taken up the position and was to give a excellent demonstration of fielding in this difficult position that perhaps has not been bettered in youth cricket. He looked a most accomplished fielder and his presence directly put the opposition under huge pressure by his superb hand eye co-ordination - he is a natural. Two overs later he took his second exceptional catch to remove Roberts who had been at the crease for over two hours – a massive breakthrough. Roberts was the visitors top scorer with 59 valuable runs. Wales were now 154- 6 and on the same score left armer spinner Matt Petherbridge took his first wicket at this level. In a twenty over spell on his debut he was bowling well and he started converting his pressure into wickets as he bowled Pearce and twenty runs later had Carey well held by Goodey in the deep. Mills who was to make an even greater impression in the week and their keeper Ansell then put on a critical forty-eight off one hundred and two balls. As it transpired it was this partnership that enabled the visitors to take the ten vital first innings points. Devon finally removed Ansell when he was bowled by the captain and without addition Green took a wicket when Wolf caught Mills. Devon would need 226 and had six overs to face before tea. Sargent was out in the second over with two on the board. A visit to Crediton, well two, were needed to replace an IPad charger damaged by one of our four legged supporters. The shopper returned to watch the first over after tea and witness Powell bowled by the same bowler on the back foot from one that kept low. From 7-2 Matt Skeemer and Ben Green advanced to nineteen when the England Under 17 all rounder was caught behind. The fourth wicket fell in the seventeenth over when the skipper was leg before to Thomas 58-4. Dan Wolf was bowled by Thomas in the twentieth over. The second under 15 debutant Joe Hagan-Burt joined his West Devon colleague and the pair added twenty-eight before Hagan-Burt was caught for a fighting ten. Ollie Dawe’s wrist had been operated on the previous week and he had a hospital check up the following morning that would mean he would be missing for at least the first thirty-minutes on the second day. He was sent in, a calculated gamble, in the hope that he might be able to change the tempo of the innings. He scored a six ball four and then exposed Toby Codd for potentially thirty-six balls before close of play. The partnership took up thirty-three of these balls but on the third ball of the final over Codd was caught in the leg trap. Devon finished the first day one hundred and twelve runs behind with two wickets remaining. Matt Skeemer had shown the application needed at this level and was unbeaten eight runs past his fifty.

All summer the BBC weather forecast has favoured the light rain shower symbol wherever we have been playing particularly when the six to ten day forecast is viewed. It then tends to become more accurate and although Wednesday had at one time had light showers it had changed to light cloud. However Bees Spotlight Breakfast forecast now indicated light showers at nine and so it proved to be right. They eased away and the day became bright and hot. Devon’s first target was to avoid the follow on, then get a batting point and see where we were with regard time and potential. The first objective was achieved in the seventh over as Jamie Drew provided the staunch support that Skeemer deserved. The first batting point was reached in the twelfth over and as the two batters seemed in complete control Plan B was brought into operation and we would see how close we could get to their score. Unfortunately eight runs later Skeemers superb innings came to an end. He was first missed at slip but in the same over was caught behind for an exceptional 87. He hit eleven fours and a six, batted for over three hours and faced one hundred and sixty-one balls. An exceptional performance and we hope he will convert one of his opportunities this summer to break the three figure barrier - something he richly deserves to achieve. Jamie Drew and he had put on a really important 44 off eighty-three balls with the Heathcoat all rounder making an important contribution. The side turned to Plan C and a decision would have to be made whether Devon should continue batting or start trying to take wickets. Dan Goodey and Drew batted for a minute under the hour as a second batting point was approached. It did not arrive as Goodey was caught for a very useful 23 leaving Drew unbeaten having scored one run less. The final product of 192 was much better than could have been anticipated at close of play the previous night but was very disapointing. The three batsmen today has demonstrated the tenacity that two day cricket often requires. Devon hoped for a wicket or two before lunch in the seven overs available and opened with the captain and Green. This did not materialise but the lasagne, strawberries, ice cream and meringue, not all together, were enjoyed.

The first wicket to fall fell in the second over after the interval Green holding Thornton at slip off Dawe, now back from his check up, 37-1. Seventy-two runs later it was 109-2 as Voke was leg before to Bess for 43 and on an identical score Thorpe –Yon was out on Nelson to provide Devon with a bowling point. Forty-six were added for the fourth wicket as the seamers were rested for Sidmouth. Bess bowled Roberts on 157 and ten runs later their captain Carlson was leg before to Petherbridge. The final wicket to fall was Pearce caught at short leg as the ball hit Skeemer and he caught the rebound. Brown went on to be unbeaten on sixty-six and keeper Ansell not out on 56 as the pair put on a hundred for the seventh wicket. Both Bess and Peterbridge completed their twenty-five overs the latter with a side strain. Codd and Sargent also bowled and the game came a conclusion at five thirty as Devon had been given an opportunity to try and pick up a third bowling point which was not achieved. These had been two difficult and thought provoking days but it been good to be back at Sandford.

Scorecard