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With a number of the squad playing for the seventeen’s and also undertaking important roles at their clubs it was decided to share selection for this fixture around the other members of the squad and local fifteens. The depth of talent available in Devon was therefore tested and indicated there is a large pool of able players available. When Devon took their foot off the accelerator they had their neighbours at 68-8 with twenty overs left and 139 needed. This was the first under 16 game at Cornwood and it was a real pleasure to test drive their brilliant new facilities, they were exceptional hosts with their groundsman, Dave Vanstone, up with the larks preparing the ground. Merrick Steward won the toss and despite the advice of a home batsman wisely decided to bat. With Michael Cousens and Max Curtis both out for the summer a new opening partnership is needed. Joe Abbott did a good job at North Devon and continued to impress putting on 54 with debutant Josh Mailling. Although he tried to run out the Ivybridge all rounder they combined well batting for fourteen overs. Mailling was the first to return to the new pavilion caught for a forty-one ball 29 which included 6 fours. Harry Booker, who had not been excused games, had made the long journey from North Devon was caught and bowled for 5 in the seventeenth over. This brought in Cornwood’s under 15 batsman Ryan Rickard, who had been making a big impression this summer, but he too was back in time for the tubs when he was bowled in the twenty-first over with the score on 73. Abbott and Rhys Davis added 55 off 86 balls when three short of his maiden half century Abbott was caught after facing 94 balls, another useful contribution. The predicted score varied from the unlikely to the ridiculous but Langage Farm Ice Cream has few peers. Davies was hitting the ball into the trees and road but lost his captain on 139 and then departed himself on 185. He had put on a further 46 with Passie Mawalage. His excellent innings had been a personal under 16 best and had taken up 75 minutes, he had taken 73 minutes and balls to pass his maiden sixteen’s fifty. He had hit three fours and sixes in a most accomplished innings. Passi obviously did not agree with this seasons ten run partnership rule as next ball he was dropped at long off! Greg Chaplin added 8 with the taller twin but was bowled by J.Rowe for 3. Passie fell at 200 for a useful 33 ball 24. Williams and Stadden took the side up to 207 –with Mailling the closest at 203. There had been some good cameos but again no one had batted on.
Lunch was enjoyed and Plymstock’s Hallam Kerton produced one of the best debut spells from an under 15 in twenty years. Cornwall openers T.Rowe and B.Rule, whose nickname is either a measuring device or a monarch, put on 28 off 42 balls when Kerton found his line and length in his fourth over, fourth ball he bowled the Cornish captain, two balls later he trapped Sharpe leg before and twelve balls later and his final ball of his spell he had the King caught behind by Davies. His impressive figures were six overs, one maiden, fourteen runs, three wickets. Swifty had discovered him the previous summer as a batter on one of his visits and took him to South Africa. A real find and a very sensible down to earth bloke. It was unfortunate that the management still do not have a full grasp of the bowling directives as he was trying to get him off an over early. Cornwall was now 43-3 and were soon reduced to 55-7 after twenty-three overs. The captain bowled Bamber-Jones E, Rowe J was caught Steward bowled Chaplin. Greg must have been disappointed to have been given a bat and bowl after his previous inactivity at Redruth but he too bowled a good spell. The inform Steward took out Pooley leg before and Joe Abbott held a snorter at short extra cover off Chaplin to remove Mitchell. Steward’s impressive figures were 2-8 off seven, Chaplin's equally good 2-4 also off seven. Merrick then shared the bowling around bringing in as many players as possible. Elliott Staddon, to the delight of his local fan base, took his first county wicket on his favourite home strip number seven when he acquired the final wicket of the afternoon bowling Jenkin. Alsop 66 not out off 98 and Burchell, undefeated 23 off 65, then enjoyed themselves at Devon’s expense putting on an unbroken 92 for the ninth wicket to give their side some real respectability. Much was gained in this friendly which proved to be a useful workout for a number of players, some who did their chances in 2011 no harm. Hopefully this will be the first of many visits to Oak Park and our thanks to all their members who made the day possible. |
