Devon Cricket Board - Devon U12's v Gwent U12's 2014 Report

Devon U12's v Gwent U12's 2014 Report

"Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave, When First We Practice To Deceive "

Sir Walter Scott On The Art Of Spin Bowling.

A strange feel to the day, after a two week break from Under 12 action. Usual trip to Tiverton to pick up The Very Important Senior Scribe (VISS), and then on to collect coach for the day Trevor Griffin. Always a pleasure to have Trevor on board for his enthusiasm and clear thinking.

Usual queue at the toll bridge as people frantically hunt for money to pay toll. Grumpy Manager moans at the lack of forward planning, and is immediately made to eat Humble Pie as he is someway short of the required £6.20 and has to borrow from VISS and Coach for The Day.

Arrive in good time at Monmouth and are immediately impressed by the welcome we receive and the ground itself. Are astounded to be told it is a council ground. A little irritated by the late arrival of a couple of players. Coach is not perturbed and takes an excellent warm up, building on the foundation laid by Sandy Allen who is otherwise engaged in a County One Day Semi Final.

Toss is won by Cap'n Jack, which is to be his most positive contribution to the game until the penultimate wicket. Decide to bat first, and take the opportunity to give some players who have had little opportunity to bat, some time in the middle. With the side at 40-3 after 15 overs, and the first drinks break, we have missed all our targets and now look to bat our overs to set a total for the opposition to chase. At 42-5 an over later, this plan looks doomed as well. The truth is we have batted very poorly against some very floaty spin bowling. No one seems to have a plan, and three players are dismissed in identical fashion, prodding with hard hands to short mid off. Note to ourselves - need to spend time in winter practicing hitting over the top, using our feet, sweeping and having soft hands when defending spinners.

Whilst all this was going on there was a bemused, but cheerful Ollie Hannam looking on from the other end. He managed to find a couple of partners prepared to stay with him as he sought to bat through. Ollie Pugsley (15) and Tom Simmons (10) shared partnerships of 23 and 34 respectively with Ollie as he progressed to 39. We then managed to dig ourselves another hole , just as we were climbing out of the first!!

With 4.1 overs to go we were 123-7. 3 balls later we are all out. Not good.

The most surreal moment of the innings when Cap'n Jack asks the Manager if he has ever played on the Hampshire ground which is surrounded by cheese! It transpires after a confusing couple of minutes that he had said the ground was surrounded by trees!

A chat between innings and the team has a cunning plan. A quick burst from the seamers and then a sneaky four pronged spin assault. This allied to a faultless fielding display will bring certain reward.

Luke Medlock, on the back of impressive performances with the ball for Paignton 3rd's is given his first chance of the season, and makes an early breakthrough. Enter the second secret weapon - James Horler. His leg spin is a well guarded secret, and he persuades their best bat to wander down the wicket in search of the"moon ball". It finds its way to keeper Morison, who puts the opener out of his misery.

Sam Read, who had been second top scorer with 21, gets in on the act, taking a wicket and bowling 4 overs for 7 runs. After a drinks break enter the main men, Ollie Pugsley and Max Hancock. Determined not to let the spinning apprentices steal the show, they demolish the bottom order. Ollie has 2-11 and Max an impressive 4-5 from 5.3 overs. It must be said they were backed up with two superb close catches in front by Tom Simmons and Jack Moore. James White pulled out a master class of ground fielding around the boundary rope.

Max Hancock - Tormentor In Chief.

All in all a topsy turvy day, rescued by the bowling and fielding performance. Plenty of food for thought about our batting order, and work to do an dealing with spin bowling.

Don't you love it when a plan comes together!

A Cunning Plan Is Hatched

Biggest plus, an early finish enabling most to get back to watch at least some of the World Cup final if they so desired.

Trevor - get your feet off the pitch!!!

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