Devon Cricket Board - 2013 U13 v Cardiff report

2013 U13 v Cardiff report

DEVON U13's v CARDIFF & THE VALES

at PENTYRCH CC

Another gorgeous summers day for the second trip across the bridge to Wales. This time with Matt Thompson, Devon wicket keeper/batsman and respected Level Three coach. It's fair to say the conversation in the car on the trip up is less taxing than that normally encountered with the scorer who is also absent today. In many ways a blessing for Ash and Kazi as they were running out of questions to ask Callum!!!! No such problem with Matt, as he found out as the afternoon went on.

Minor alarms as we arrive at the beautifully appointed ground. No one to meet us, and no sign of a wicket having been marked out for the game. We are early, but still concerned. Several phone calls later it is confirmed we are at the right ground, although the groundsman is nowhere to be seen. Matt takes an impressive warm up, which is later commented on very favourably by Kevin Lyons, ex Glamorgan player and Director of Cricket at Cardiff Centre of Excellence. Indeed he claims he knew who would win the game, based on the preparations of each side.

Some negotiation takes place with umpires and Cardiff management before it is agreed to mark out and play on a wicket previously played on at the weekend, this being the only one deemed fit for purpose. Cardiff & The Vale, with several of the Wales team in their side, win the toss and decide to bat, believing the wicket will get more difficult as time goes on.

Before the game it was agreed with the players that we needed to give some of the team the opportunity to bowl who were underbowled to date, and to get some others in to bat.

Kazi opened the bowling with Tom Lammonby. This pair gave way to Ash Causey and Tom Williams. Kazi caused problems at once and was rewarded with a good caught and bowled, Ash and Tom L were, unsurprisingly, a little rusty and took time to get in to their stride, but kept the runs down. The wicket, despite the concerns, did little to alarm the batters, although the accuracy of the back up bowlers (Dan Bullock, and Chris Yabsley!!!) kept the run rate down.

Cardiff were eventually all out in 38 overs for 113. Yabbers again frugal 2-22 from 7 overs, Tom Williams 1-19 from 8 and the real bonus 3-12 from 5 overs for Jamie Khan with his leg spin. Really important that we have plenty of options going in to the festival. Jamie is another to add to the list. He bowled really well and deserved his wickets. Dan Bullock was wicketless, but probably bowled as well as he has all season.

113 was never going to be enough and so it proved. Monty Crowe was promoted along with Sam Maunder and they put on 21 before Monty perished for 12. Sam and Callum Worth took it to 54 before Callum went for 18. Sam then supported the confident, and in form, Jack Gibbs who quickly reduced the target with a striking 41 not out. Sam departed for 26 having put on 46 with Jack. This gave Chris Yabsley a rare spell at the crease, he made the most of it with 1 not out before the target was reached with 18 overs to spare.

Shot Monty......

...May be not!!!!!

Dan Bullock was, for the umpteenth time this season padded up , and ready to bat at number 6. You'll get in one day I promise Dan!!!

All in all a professional performance against a weaker team. Plenty of positives to come out of the game for those who have had limited opportunities this season. Also a reminder for those who have been given the chance - if you don't perform there are plenty of others waiting for a chance!!!

Another question for Matt, Ash?

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