Devon Cricket Board - Devon Under 12s v Somerset

Devon Under 12s v Somerset

DEVON V SOMERSET

Expectations were high for the game with after the superb victory over Gloucestershire. Somerset elected to bat first on a good-looking track at Barton CC. Our opening attack was hampered a little when Sam Boddington was forced to pull out of the match with a muscle injury but Ben Roberts and Jack Thomas toiled well in the sun with the new ball.The Somerset batters threatened to take hold of the game but we kept going with the ball and in the field. Key was driving through the difficult periods of the game and making things happen, not waiting for them to happen. Dominic Mulberry and Dominic Bess bowled tidy spells but it was Seb Ansley – back bowling off-breaks – who stole the show at the end of the innings finishing with 3-11 from 3.5 overs. Somerset’s total of 193 was formidable but not impossible to reach. Wides – 22 in total – was something to be pointed out again and needs to be worked on. Our fielding was okay but failed to reach the high standards set in the previous game.

We lost Daniel Powell early in the run chase but skipper Marcus Hoddinott (16) helped steady the ship. He and an impressive Jack Maunder (44) put on 71 for the second wicket.There was a useful contribution from Bess (21) and a quick-fire 21 from Seb Ansley including one big six which hurtled towards the scorebox.The chase was well and truly on but then, as the required run-rate increased, we began losing wickets at regular intervals, eventually, finishing just 13 runs short. It was a valiant effort all round and with a little more care with shot selection towards the end we could have won. There were again lots more positives rather than negatives to be had from the game despite losing. I have included a note from Julian with his views on the match and what we need to work on.

SCOREBOARD

Somerset 193(Thomas 1-35, Roberts 1-38, Bess 1-38, Mulberry 1-15, Ansley 3-11),
Devon 180-9(Hoddinott 16, Maunder 44, Bess 21, Ansley 21).
Devon lost by 13 runs.

FROM JULIAN:

Hi all, I just wanted to put a few thoughts together for you following the game v Somerset. Before I go on, I am still short of e mail addresses for Dominic Mulberry, Matt Skeemer, Gareth Penrice and Jack Thomas - if any of you have these, please could you forward to me.  A valiant effort at chasing 194. It is always tough chasing totals and almost 5 an over for 40 overs was going to be difficult. To come so close and continue the chase for so long was very positive. It seems that numerous players have contributed well with the bat already this year and this bodes well for the festival. The positive nature of the middle order is a great sign, particularly once we establish solid early order foundations.

In terms of batting we need to continue:
- running all runs hard to apply pressure to the fielders. If you run gently they will field the ball easily (without being forced to field well) and if they do misfield you will be in no position to capitalise on their mistake.
- continue the method of hitting through the ball on attacking strokes (not across the ball).
- play straight (full face of the bat to the bowler)
- be selective with your stroke play (singles/twos and favoured attacking options)
- stay aware to field placements (helps gap finding)
- recognise poor fielders and be aware of left handers

With the ball, our wides were costly, although Somerset gifted us many extras too. Keep it simple. Bowl your best ball as often as you can aiming to hit half way up middle and off stump (allowing for movement through the air and of the pitch).  At least this offers you three dismissal options every ball (caught / lbw / bowled) - simple!!

We need to tighten our consistent field placements for each bowler. On Sunday can all bowlers please bring a piece of papar with their ideal starting field placements to a) right handers and b) left handers. Jim and I will discuss with each individual when we are batting. We will also look at certain potential variations.

Our fielding is certainly improving, although I would like to see more urgency moving to the ball (dont wait for the batters to run - stop them) and accurate, powerful throws to the keeper. Gareth kept well Sunday and stronger throwing will help him and Dan even more. Keep hunting in pairs and dont expect someone else to field the ball - go and do it yourself!!

Looking forward to Sunday and confident that by the time we reach the festival we will be in a position to be highly competitive game after game and (hopefully) succesful!!!

Cheers

Julian

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773