Devon Cricket Board - Devonu12 v Wales 2014 report

Devonu12 v Wales 2014 report

LEWDOWN CC - on a sunnier day!

"It's not over until the lady with ample proportions warbles"

After a winter's preparation, District games, and a week late because of the typical British spring weather, the U12's season got underway at Lewdown with a tough opener against Wales.

The journey to the ground was accompanied by good old Devon Mizzle which dissipated as we arrived. The welcome from Lewdown, as we have come to expect, brightened the spirits.

Sandy Allen took his first ever warm up as U12 coach, and the team were eager to start. The players had decided during the winter that,as part of their development, they would bat first wherever possible. The toss of course was lost, but Wales elected to field. It was clear from the first over that this was a disciplined, well prepared side. They bowled tightly, were focused in the field and got between overs quickly. A fine example for the Devon boys to watch and copy. Thanks for the demonstration Wales. Saved the management a coaching session!!

The opening partnership of 20, between Luke Medlock and Sam Read, in 9 overs, proved to be the highest of the innings.Sam with 15, was to be the highest scorer. Only Ollie Blakeman and Louis Morison with 11 for the penultimate wicket, produced another double figure partnership. (No boxes ticked there, boys).

Devon ended on 64 all out after 39.1 overs. Clearly the total was not what was required, or expected, and the run rate not what the team aspire to.

The break for Lewdown's special tea, gave time for reflection and a plan to turn the game around. There must have been something in the chocolate cake. The plan was simple - bowl the Principality out for less than 64. How to do that? Bowl straight and full, attack every ball in the field to put pressure on the batters and take all our chances.

From ball two everything went to plan. Ask The Weatherman (aka Sam Read) about ball one. Wales helped by contriving to run out the opener from a no ball. It was all the encouragement the team needed. Ollie Blakeman, on debut, bowled with real pace and aggression, dismissing the dangerous Goodwin, bowling the left hander for 2. Blakeman and his new ball partner James White were irresistible, and after they had completed their opening spells the visitors were reduced to 20-6 and in deep do do's.

The Welsh skipper, Phillips, was not going to give up without a fight and dug in against the left arm spin of Max Hancock (8 overs for 11 runs). However Cap'n Jack with 2-6 from 5 overs, and the returning Blakeman (8 overs, 4-19) worked their way through the lower order, leaving Wales a tantalising 3 runs short of their target.

Plenty of positives, and plenty to work on after the first game. If the season continues in this vein their will be plenty of excitement for the supporters.

Ollie Blakeman - a fine debut

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