ADAPTABLE 12’s TRIUMPH AT FESTIVAL
A Happy, Happy Squad!
Devon U12’s season culminated in victory at the ESCA County Festival at King’s College, Taunton. In a strong group with First Class Counties Lancashire, Hampshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire & South African side St. Stithians they remained unbeaten throughout the week.
The week started with an excellent team meeting where the players set their standards for the week and decided that if these were met, results would take care of themselves. They appreciated the need to involve all 14 players over a long week, and the need for rest.
Daffy The Duck was introduced and put in the care of coach Callum Whittaker, who had failed to trouble the scorers at the weekend. Failure to produce Daffy when requested by any member of the management team constituted Duck Abuse and a resulting penalty of 10 press ups. Sadly the caoch set a poor example and within a couple of hours was already on his 30th press up. For Daffy's sake someone needed to get a duck on Monday.
Also introduced was the Mars Bar Moment Of The Day (MBMOTD), which could be for something outstanding on the pitch , or totally unrelated to the game.
A deal was struck. Team to stay up and watch Usain Bolt in the 100 metres and then straight to bed and sleep. The first half of the deal was kept. Sleep seemed more elusive for some.
Day one saw Devon put in to bat against Lancashire. The weather forecast was poor, and the pitch already wet from heavy overnight rain. Devon struggled against tight Lancashire bowling and only Ashley Causey with 35 scored heavily. When the heavens opened, and play was abandoned, Devon were 78-4 with only 8 of their overs left. Who knows what would have happened if the game had continued. Pitch 4 was low scoring throughout the week, but it was probably the little bit of luck that Devon needed.
Daffy found a new keeper as Tom Williams scored the first nought of the week. It has to be said Daffy could not have found a better place to stay. He was exemplary in his care of said Duck.
The MBMOTD was awarded unanimously to Mikey Cooper who had managed, not once but twice, to spoon his meal directly on to his tray, having forgotten to put a plate on the tray first.
Heavy early morning rain put paid to any hope of playing a 50 over game on grass, but the Astroturf was playable. Whilst the other teams remained on site, Devon travelled down the road to play their first ever game in a convent. A 20 over game ensued against St.Stithians. The strong South African side scored 170 from their allotted overs with leggie Leon Horn pick of the bowlers with 2-18 from his 3 overs. There were 2 wickets each for Kazi Szymanski and Monty Crowe. The highlights were some stupendous catches from Mikey Cooper and an absolute goober from Ash Causey, who redeemed himslf by running out the other batsmen, who was still in shock at such a sitter being dropped. Bowling the opposition out meant full bonus points, and a victory would give the team maximum match points. Mikey Cooper set the tone with a 6 from the first ball. He went on to score a quick 43 and Kazi Szymanski showed his hitting power with an imperious 72. It took an exceptional catch on the boundary to dismiss him. James Bovey, visibly nervous, then entered the fray and hit the fourth ball of the final over to the midwicket boundary for a four wicket victory.
This was just the catalyst the team needed. It was an improbable victory and showed that the team has got the ability to PUP (Perform Under Pressure). Kazi showed this, as did James Bovey, in different ways. MBMOTD went to both of these players. Daffy moved on to Sam Maunder, who sadly neglected his duties rather too often, and paid the price in press ups.
Next up were Hampshire who had already beaten Devon earlier in the season. In a game reduced to 40 overs a side, a fine bowling and fielding exhibition saw the opposition score restricted to 127-7. Leon Horn again impressed with 2-17 from 8 overs, well supported by Jack Gibbs 2-18 from 5, Callum Worth 0-9 from 5 and Matt Parker 1-17 from 7. The Devon response looked in tatters at 14-4, but two of the previous days heroes came to the rescue. Bovey and Szymanski resisted everything and took the score in to the 80’s before Bovey was dismissed. Skipper Sam Maunder (17*)joined Szymanski (57*) and saw the team home. PUP day number 2!! The side was now really beginning to believe that anything was possible.
Daffy found two new carers in Tom Lammonby and Pierce Widdecombe. They showed a level of care that put the skipper to shame.
MBMOTD to Chris Yabsley for a "bomb" in the pool which caused barely a ripple, such is the power of the player.
Thursday’s game against Surrey was key. Neither side could afford to lose if they wanted to challenge for the trophy. In another game restricted to 40 overs Surrey batted first and constructed a challenging 147-5 from their 40 overs on a slow outfield. Szymanski was the pick of the bowlers with 2-22 from 7 overs, with off spinner Chris Yabsley frugal with 1-24 from 8. In reply a 2nd wicket stand of 82 between Tom Williams (43) and Tom Lammonby (35) set Devon up with a run chase of 55 from the last 10 overs, with 8 wickets in hand. This proved too big. Under pressure the side subsided to 131-8.
This was the only time in the week that PUP was found wanting at all, although Callum Worth showed plenty as he had to bat the final over to secure the draw. He was well and truly sconned first ball by Surrey's quick bowler and obviously shaken. His partner Chris Yabsley firmly turned down the opportunity of a leg bye, as the ball ricoched from the helmet to fine leg. Callum stood his ground and bravely faced the over, ensuring draw points for his side. It cost him his place in the side next day, as he was still feeling unwell form the hit. Great effort Callum. MBMOTD. Daffy to Mikey Cooper for the final day.
The equation was simple, win on Friday, get maximum points and hope that Surrey beat St. Stithians. A clear the air team meeting on Thursday night, re focussing of the minds and an early night as this team really wanted to perform on the Friday. Sam Maunder admitted being extremely tired having had the responsibility of captaining the side, batting up the order and keeping wicket. The decision is made, at his suggestion, to pass the gloves to the Keeper of Daffy, Mikey Cooper. This might prove to be a masterstroke! The usual hectic Friday morning packing, re-packing, checking rooms, finding homes for various bits of orphaned kit and a last hearty breakfast.
Gloucestershire were the opponents. They too had beaten Devon this season. Put in to bat Devon needed, they thought, 175 to get maximum points in 50 overs. The outfield was very slow and scoring quickly was difficult. Openers Monty Crowe (26) and Causey (22) set the foundation. Cameo knocks from Tom Lammonby (32), Sam Maunder (21) and the in form Szymanski (27*) saw the final total reach 171-5. At lunch Devon discovered that, because of wet conditions, maximum bonus points for runs were awarded at 150. This, along with the news that Surrey had dismissed their opponents for 127, meant there was hope in the Devon camp. Gloucestershire were soon behind the run rate and intent on achieving a draw. With 14 overs left they were 67-4 and looking comfortable. The speculative introduction of Pierce Widdecombe's occasional left armers brought no reward. It took a stunning slip catch by Maunder, off Szymanski, to change the game. Mikey Cooper had already engineered one stumping and Sam's decision to rest at slip had certainly paid off. Tom Wiliams then changed ends and took 3 wickets with his left arm spin, aided by another Mikey Cooper stumping. The momentum was with Devon and they wrapped up an unlikely victory with 9 overs to spare.
Sam Maunder about to take a vital catch.
Quick work from Mikey Cooper off Tom Williams bowling.
There was a nervous wait as the points were checked. Surrey had won their game and this meant Devon had won the festival . Devon were presented the Festival Shield by Andy Caddick and Craig Meschede. This is the first time Devon U12's had won this trophy. A hat trick as this squad had won the U10 and U11 Festivals in the two previous years.
So, despite the weather, a fine season for this squad who readily embraced the principles the coach and manager put to them, and took responsibility for their own performances throughout the season. The Festival Week was their reward. Everyone in the squad had a part to play in the success.
Special thanks to all the parents and supporters without whom the season would not have happened!
Also Brother Scribe, Neil Lochead, for his sterling efforts as scorer at the festival, and Brenden Worth who willingly volunteered to keep the tally when Neil was absent.
Many thanks to Martin Bovey for these pictures.
