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The 2010 Under 17 season was approached with real optimism as on paper they are one of the most talented squads. Cricket is played on grass and the early season friendly with Buckinghamshire exposed more flaws than could possible have been imagined late last August. Bucks showed all the Devon core values – unity, desire, determination, discipline, pressure building, brilliant fielding, skill, ability etc, etc. There will have to be a major rethink in selection and for the three days with Hampshire there is every likelihood that different sides will be selected for the one and two day games. The weather forecast was just a couple of hours out, the heavy overnight rain was due to stop by 8.00am and then clear with a perfect summer’s afternoon. The rain did not stop until 10.00, all seemed to be brightening up but then the tide turned as the Kelsey Ground was engulfed in mist. The host club were pulling out all the stops and were hopeful of a noon start but were thwarted by the mist so the caterers were bombarded with different times for lunch. Eventually it would be taken at 1.30pm with a 2.00pm start and the game reduced to 40 overs. The Braunton catering team were brilliant and they somehow produced the pasta salad, lasagne with chips and meat curry dead on time. Play started at ten past in ideal, apart from a wet ball, seam bowling conditions. There was no early breakthrough as debutant Matt Kidd went for 4.2 and Ryan Skinner 4.6. PowerPlays have been introduced in the one day game this summer and it was interesting to watch how the side responded. Craig Eaves and Matt Curtis took over and slowed the rate right down. Eaves first five overs went for 3.6 but Max Curtis only conceded 12 runs off his revised allocation of 8. He also took a wicket trapping Potter on the back leg after the openers had put on 74 off sixteen overs. Another twenty–two were added as Devon looked poor in the field, they were all playing cricket so there could be no excuses. Matt Golding replaced Craig Eaves and with his under 16 spin partner for the only time in the game Devon looked in control as only nineteen runs were added in seven overs. With the help of a catch from Ryan Skinner at long off Golding removed Hampton for a match top score of 44. Connor Bryan then monopolised proceedings bowling his seven overs for 40 runs but taking five wickets. His wickets were the result of two stumpings from Grainger, a catch from Cousens and a clean bowled. He was however despatched by Helm through a greenhouse roof and the ball was still returned! Extras amounted to the third highest score of 29 and resulted in an additional two overs. Irrespective of the damp conditions this performance had been reminiscent of the previous below par performance at Exmouth last summer it had been simply dreadful. The captain had a sore back which did not help and could not bowl, indeed a similar situation as had occurred in that Cornwall game. We can not rely on one seamer. The spinners did bowl well and thought will be given to bringing in a third spinner. Conner Bryan's figures equalled David Lye’s performance against Warwickshire in 1996 being the eleventh best return at under 17s. Despite the lack lustre fielding and bowling performance a target of 4.6 an over would surely be achievable by this extremely strong batting line up.
Despite a now classic summer afternoon with drying outfield they were never in the chase as the visitors opening attack extracted far more bounce and carry than the home side, reduced Devon to 24-2 with Michael Cousens miss pulling Nix and Brown was caught off Ellemore. It got worse as Devon were exerted to a level of pressure cricket they should have applied themselves reaching 53-6 after twenty-two overs and then 74-8 off twenty-seven. Huxtable batted twenty-four minutes for one, his partner in the match winning partnership over Exmouth in the cup the previous Sunday, Tom Mitcham, succumbed after and hour and four minutes at the crease for 24. Acceleration and change in impetus had now been an urgent requirement and the inform Craig Eaves and Matt Kidd were invited to provide it. Eaves was fifth out when he gave backward square leg a simple chance with a lap sweep, the injured captain was stumped on the same score – 53 – so much for partnerships of at least ten,. Kidd had tried to show some intent hitting 11 off twenty-two, Cameron Grainger worked the ball through mid wicket and Devon passed the two lowest under 17 totals. Again two wickets fell in quick succession, Grainger was caught on 71 and three runs later Kidd was dismissed in a similar manner. It was now just a case of trying to achieve some respectability and not featuring in the green book. Connor Bryan, yet another batter in the side making important contributions at his club helped add 34 with Matt Golding and took the side past the hundred and the third, fourth and fifth lowest totals leaving just one more target to avoid entering the record books the 120. Bryan was bowled sweeping for the third score in double figures. The under 16 spin twins Golding and Curtis took their team to respectability if not success in putting on the best partnership of the innings – an undefeated 37. Golding completed a fine all round performance in being undefeated on 30 and Curtis ended the game on par have conceded and scored twelve.
It was good to return to Braunton after a lengthy absence and they could not have done more for either side – simply they were exceptional. Devon did not fully get a grasp of the Powerplays not taking their batting one so there is so much to build on. This performance had been one of the most disappointing in the eighteen years of under 17 cricket. The side were unable to put into practice all that has been preached and agreed over the past eighteen months. The hope is that one swallow does not make a………….
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