- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Devon U12's v Hampshire U12's 2014 Report
"Oh What A Perfect Day"
A proper summer's day for the under 12's as they looked to extend their winning streak against Hampshire, a county that usually provides a strong test for Devon. One of the manager's favourite days as he meets up with his Hampshire counterparts whose cricketing philosophy matches his own. It doesn't make them any less competitive!!
The Axminster faithful make everyone welcome as always, and it was a first for Devon to welcome umpires from Somerset and Dorset to officiate. They did a fine job, and were effusive in their praise of the performance and behaviour of the Devon boys.
The most noticeable thing about the Hampshire team is their SIZE. They have three big lads, which can be a great advantage at this age. The Hampshire coach smugly advises they have a bigger lad who has not travelled for this game!! I did ask for their birth certificates, and was told the lads had left them in their cars, having driven down!!!
The usual success with the toss meant Devon were in the field, and Hampshire started confidently against the opening bowlers James White and Ollie Hannam. At the first drinks break, the score was 54-1, the only success Ollie Hannam persuading the impressive Metzger to top edge to the safe hands of Abraham Kopparambil. Too many wides and loose deliveries.
It took the spin twins Max Hancock and Ollie Pugsley to slow the rate, although Fraser Middleton showed his class for the opposition. 100-4 at the second drinks break was a much better session, Hancock (8-1-15-1) and Pugsley (8-0-27-2) applying the brakes. The third session would be crucial in restricting Hampshire on a decent track. Anything less than 160 would be a good afternoon's work.
Cap'n Jack bowled a very tight spell of 5 overs for 7 runs, stopping Middleton (58) getting away, and Kopparambil took 2-11. The final score of 148-7 just reward for the fielding and bowling in the last two thirds of the innings. The only blemishes one mis field and one missed catch. Tea was taken with a quiet confidence amongst the boys.
The Openers About To Embark On The First Opening Partnership Of 50 For The Season
Sam Read and James Horler bat just as we would want, putting on 51 for the first wicket in 11 overs, before Sam is the first victim of Smith. he eventually takes 3 wickets with identical balls, dipping full length deliveries which york the batters. His action is unusual, he bowls medium pace leg spin. It will be interesting to see how we combat him in future games.
Horler is next to go immediately after drinks for a well crafted 38. A shame he didn't go on, but he has impressed so far this season. Freddie Ford(4) becomes Smith's second victim and it takes Luke Medlock (28) and Jack Moore (20) to put together a stand to take the game away from Hampshire. They put on 47 in 10 overs before committing the criminal act of both getting just before the final drinks break.
This leaves Devon needing 30 from the final 12 overs with two new batters in, Max Hancock and Abraham Kopparambil. They are charged with getting the runs by the end of the 35th over. They meet the challenge perfectly Hancock (16*) and Kopparambil (17*) show admirable poise and great shot selection to get to 151 after 34.5 overs. Clinical.
A good day at the office, with more strands of performance coming together in one game than the side has managed previously.
It was gratifying to hear, not only from the umpires, but also from the opposition, that our performance was one to savour. Onwards and upward, guys!!