Devon Cricket Board - 2013 U13 v Cornwall report

2013 U13 v Cornwall report

DEVON U13's v CORNWALL U13's

at TAVISTOCK

Waking on Sunday morning the management team had a frission of excitement.

The weather forecast was set fair - the first time since the Manager started taking Devon teams up on t'moor. The tireless team of volunteers at The Ring deserved a sunny day. For the last two years they had spent hours mopping up soggy wickets and outfields to ensure a game for the youth teams.

In Bishops Nympton, the Senior Scribe was also awake early, unable to contain his joy at being able to use his online scoring system for the first time in this game. Oh how he hoped there would be a fellow scorer who appreciated his finger dexterity.

Neil's Lucky Day!

The Singing Coach (Agar do..do..do!)

Down in Plymouth Coach Callum was happy in the knowledge he was taking his wife out for the day - a lovely trip up to the moor to see the sheep, ponies - and watch the U13's play!

In the absence of skipper Sam Maunder, Ash Causey was the man in charge, and was sent to the toss with instruction not to come back unless he won it. He returned safely with a smile. Chats with the locals ( Callum Worth's Dad!) confirmed what coach and manager thought. The pitch would help the spinners, being dry and likely not to have a great deal of pace. Batting was the order of the day.

Tom Williams and Jamie Khan opened, as Mikey Cooper would be keeping, so rested down the order (more of this later). What followed is the, by now, familiar pattern for a Devon innings. The planned for, and talked about solid start, 65 in the first 15 overs without loss, and then both batsmen getting out when set. Jamie was first to go for 26, to be followed 15 runs later by Tom Williams (39) who becomes the latest to be added to the stand in skippers list of run out victims!!! Ashley then compounded the crime by getting out himself when on 20. In between Tom Lammonby had been dismissed for a rare duck, well stumped by the Cornish keepr, who was well Choughed!

Too hot to sit outside and watch!!

Kazi Szymanski and Mikey Cooper restored some equilibrium with a stand of 34 before Kazi(24) was bowled by the culinary spin of Kitchen. Mikey Cooper proceeded to dominate with 46* in only 36 balls, ably assisted by the ferret Leon Horn and Jack Gibbs who hit a big six to end the innings. These three are proving to be very effective in what they do - execute their skills. So much for a rest for Mikey Cooper!

The final total 189-6 was the "usual" for Devon, and should be defendable on a wicket taking spin, given the teams quality in this department.

After an excellent tea Devon started their quest for victory. Callum Worth took advantage of opening the bowling at his home ground with a fine spell, dismissing both openers. His figures would have been more impressive if he had insisted on the field he wanted. Runs through third man, which could have been stopped. If there is one area where this team is still playing naive cricket, it is in the placing of fields. Bowlers should know what they want, and trust themselves to bowl to their field. A dialogue between captain and bowler is essential. If the bowler doesn't bowl to the field he wants, then the captain pulls rank, changes the field or takes the bowler off. Simples.

At the first drinks interval (it was so hot there where three!) the coach reminded the team what they agreed was the most difficult bowling to face. A third of the innings was to go by before a spinner was seen in the attack. Up to this point after the loss of the early wickets, Cornwall looked on target to challenge the total.

The introduction of the spin quartet put an end to such thoughts. They all used the wicket well and dried up the run chase completely, taking wickets as they went. Four more for the irrepressible Yabsley, two for Bullock and two for Williams. Leon Horn was wicketless but miserly.

The final total was 142 all out, another fine performance for the team, and the usual warm welcome from Tavistock. This team is extremely fortunate to have such good hosts wherever it plays. This is most noticable when compared to some of the venues and hospitality seen at away fixtures. It is most appreciated by all of us.

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