|
Taking into account all the circumstances that occurred prior to the game this was a really encouraging performance. However Devon made life as difficult as possible for themselves at the really well appointed and welcoming Redruth ground. Greg Chaplin was at the ground before the coach who was there well in advance to make sure everything was ready. Greg was going to experience one of those days he would prefer to forget but he was there at the end all padded up ready to see his side home if necessary. He was soon joined by the rest of the side who had travelled from all parts of Devon with Williams outdoing them all arriving on the 6.30am ferry from Roscoff. It was a do it yourself warm up with Eaves, Curtis and Golding leading the group who followed them superbly. They all did a really good, well prepared job and the picture painted was perfect. They had nearly completed their pre match preparations when their opponents started. Devon were going to insert, Cornwall won the toss and batted. Williams and Yates opened and restricted Cornwall to 27 off ten. In the eleventh over and with his fifth ball Pas Mawalage caught and bowled the Cornish captain Rowe 1. Craig Eaves went four balls better with the first ball of his spell he castled Rule, there must be a pun there somewhere. Cornwall were now 32-2 and when the first drinks were taken at 17 Devon were confident if they could break the current pairing of Purchase and Rowe 2 life would be easier. They were still together at the second drinks break with the score now 124-2. The seamers continued the good work but the third wicket pairing took a liking to spinners Golding and Pav Mawalage who conceded 46 off six overs. Max Curtis entered the attack in the thirtieth over and started a very telling spell. Two overs after drinks he had Purchase well held at long off by Harry Booker for 59. Purchase had been missed at mid wicket on 32 off Golding. The pair had put on 95 in 24 overs. Seven runs later Yates in the style of Pointing held a memorable catch off Curtis to remove Pooley. Cornwall were 155 after forty overs when scouts and resting fielders were asked for a final score Abbott came it at 190, Curtis started at 193 and realised that he was bowling went up to 203 and Steward was even less confident at 213. The fifth wicket fell at 161 when Rowe 2 was bowled by Curtis. His figures were then 7-1-20-3, impressive. Two wickets fell on 179 Yates bowled Alsopp and Pavi threw out keeper Burchell who was on his third to mid on. It was a neat pick up and direct throw. Craig Eaves first five overs had conceded just six runs for his first ball wicket and he retuned for a final two successfully having Sharp caught by Curtis on the final score of 193. Curtis, o ye of little faith. The side had kept at it well in the field bowling at a decent rate that can still be improved. Some players need to work on their fielding but Yates was outstanding and under 15 keeper Rhys Davis was brilliant. He also fitted in exceptional well and he will be a huge asset over the next two months. His debut duck will disappoint but he has two strings to his bow and his proven batting skills will ensure runs in the future. Devon used eight bowlers but not the unlucky Chaplin.
The tall Booker found the low bounce difficult and was bowled for 1 with the score on five. Curtis and Golding, who had been at the Somerset Academy the previous evening put on 83 with no signs of concern and in particular their shot selection and running was good. It therefore was a disappointment that neither fully batted on. Max Curtis was caught behind off Rule for a 70 ball 33, Yates and Golding then added 26 taking their side past three figures when Alsopp bowled Yates. Matt Golding then holed out, again off Alsopp with his side now on 130. He scored the sides first fifty of the summer. He had looked in really good form and three figures could have been there for the taking but his 58 off 77 had put the side in a reasonable position. One run later debutant Davies was back in the pavilion leg before. South Devon’s Eaves and Joe Abbott put on 37 and again in a comfortable manner. Perhaps Abbott could run his first run quicker but the pair were building up an even stronger position. To his own obvious annoyance Eaves was caught for 26. He had been batting really sensibly to his sides needs and then…….. Merrick Steward was immediately caught at cover second ball and at 168-7 more sensible batting was needed. Passi Mawalage and Joe Abbott did just that. Abbot was not out 30 and Passi undefeated on a vital 11. Devon had seven balls to spare and interestingly had scored at virtually four an over throughout. An unusual experience as acceleration tends to kick in at some time. It was a good result, the senior players played their part, Eaves led well throughout the day and in fact everyone made a contribution. The ten good points were quickly reeled off and the five bad will be worked on. A good start to the summer. |
