Devon Cricket Board - Under 16s 2009 Report

The Under 16 2009 Season

Played

Won

Won on 1^st Inns

Lost

Lost on 1^st innings

Abandoned

v Wales at Axminster C.C. – Match abandoned
DEVON	58-1 (10 overs)

v Haberdashers’ Aske at Axminster C.C. – Devon lost by 15 runs
DEVON	148	(Z.Bess 71)
HABERDASHERS	149-6

v Cornwall (2 day) at Truro C.C. – Match abandoned
DEVON	311-8 dec	(G.Stephenson 105, A.Hill 30, S.Defriend 90)
CORNWALL	111-1 (46 overs)

v Cornwall at Exmouth C.C. – Match abandoned
Cornwall	107-1 (25 overs)

v Somerset at Taunton Vale C.C. – Devon won by 6 wickets
SOMERSET	95	(Z.Bess 5-16)
DEVON	96-4	(T.Mitcham 42*)

v Somerset (2 day) at Torquay CC. – Devon won on 1^st innings
DEVON	353-9dec	(A.Brown 70, B.Huxtable 128, C.Bryan 56*)
SOMERSET	257

v Warwickshire at Leamington Spa C.C. – Devon lost on 1^st innings
DEVON	273-9 dec	(T.Mitcham 110, A.Brown 42)
	83-2	(B.Huxtable 43, A.Brown 39*)
WARWICKSHIRE	74-4 (34.2 overs)

v Staffordshire (2 day) at Walsall C.C. – Match abandoned
STAFFORDSHIRE	29-3 (14 overs)

v Staffordshire at Walsall C.C. – Devon won by 47 runs
DEVON	287-7	(T.Mitcham 101, A.Brown 52, C.Eaves 44)
STAFFORDSHIRE	166	(R.Skinner 3-26, Z.Bess 4-25, C.Eaves 3-51)

The 2009 Squad

Z.Bess (captain); J.Ashmore; R.Ashworth; A.Brown; C.Bryan; M.Cousens; M.Curtis; S.Defriend; C.Eaves; C.Grainger; A.Hill; B.Huxtable; M.Golding; W.Matthewman; Ps.Mawalage; Pv.Mawalage; T.Mitcham; N.Menheneott; M.Plowman; R.Skinner; J.Spicer; G.Stephenson.

With the loss of the Isle of Wight Festival and uncertainty about the Inter County competition, the winter created more questions than answers. We flirted with the Jersey Festival being the next name on the waiting list, considered a proposed festival in Lincolnshire but eventually the bull was taken by the horns and we reverted to a Midland tour and friendlies both one and two day. Indeed if we had not, like all others, been adversely affected by the weather, it could have proved to be a winning combination. Indeed we have stuck to the same formula for 2010. It was obvious from the important winter workshop sessions that the squad would be well balanced with strength in the important departments.

The season did not start well, indeed the omens were not good with rain forecasted for our first game against Wales but driving the mini-bus along the A31 the clouds were high and blue sky visible. This was an historic day in Devon’s history with the opening of the new cricket centre at Exeter University so first impressions indicating a real chance of play were helping to remove any disappointment about missing the opening. All of the new twelve man squad were present and correct, the first time in years the final eleven miles from Honiton had not taken any prisoners. Joe Smith worked the group well with the warm up exposing some deficiencies that were to be fully revealed later in the week against Haberdashers. Devon batted first and scored at 5.8 for the ten complete overs bowled. Having been present at David Gower’s test debut on the first June 1978 at Edgbaston when he classically pulled his first ball in test cricket, it seemed déja vu as Michael Cousens repeated the feat. He played the Welsh attack with consummate ease. He lost his captain Zak Bess on 18 when he was bowled by Leering and the second wicket partnership with Barnie Huxtable added another 40 before the rains came. It most certainly was déja vu with regard to the weather as the game was abandoned after an early tea. This at least allowed the seventeens to leave at 5.30pm with the Axminster 13s leaving to go off to beat their Sidmouth opponents at Bickley where rain had amazingly not affected the ground.

The second game against Haberdashers was a major disappointment. Despite not scoring sufficient runs, with their opponents at 62-6 after thirty-one overs Devon appeared to be drifting towards a comfortable win. Yet damp conditions and a seventh wicket partnership of 87 off 103 balls took the game away from a lack lustre inexperienced Devon side.

With a number of the squad playing for the seventeens at Totton over the previous three days, it was an experimental side that took on the annual friendly with the Middlesex School. Devon’s batting revolved around their captain Zak Bess, who although involved all week had insisted on playing. He continued his good form, with his old bat, scoring 71 of the final total of 148. He batted for 164 minutes facing 95 balls and hitting twelve fours. He featured in a fourth wicket partnership of 53 with Cameron Grainger and was out on Nelson. George Stephenson showed good intent, hitting a fifty-four ball 27. Infuriatingly Devon did not bat their overs, losing their last six wickets for just 37 runs and causing alarm bells to ring loudly with regard to the lower order. Setia took 3-32, with K.Patel, A.Pareich and T.Edrich taking two apiece. The score on the second Axminster ground was below par with thirty-one vital balls unused – incredibly disappointing. Devon got off to a splendid start reducing the school side to 39-5 and then 62-6. Ryan Skinner took the first two wickets with an excellent diving catch at point by Stephenson and a leg before. Bess had the keeper, Selvakumar, caught behind. Jack Ashmore took two wickets in six balls – caught and bowled and bowled. Jack Spicer bowled Malde who had batted for 146 minutes facing 71 balls for his obdurate 27. From that moment Devon lost its way. The increasingly damp ball did not help but Letts and Sivakumer batted sensibly, building up the momentum slowly, and they reached their target with 14 balls left. It had been a very sub-standard final eighteen overs after the initiative had been lost. Much useful information was learnt from this workout.

Although torrential rain ensured that the two day game with Cornwall did not go the distance, it was not the total disaster that the corresponding game had been in 2008. Exeter services were left in overcast conditions and the windscreen wipers were in use on the way down to Truro. The Saturday league match had not been started so the proposed track had been covered all week and the County Ground, which had hosted the Cornwall/Somerset Twenty20 the previous Wednesday, looked playable and so it proved to be. Joe Smith put the side through an active warm up but, in this summer of uncertain damp weather when winning the toss was proving vital, Devon lost it and was inserted. Despite the covering it was a difficult first session. Devon reached lunch four down with 80 on the electronic scoreboard. Tom Mitcham scored eleven of the opening partnership of 19 when, after forty minutes at the crease, he was caught by Jenkin. Three runs later Richard Ashworth was caught behind off Lister and Cameron Grainger fell in identical fashion fifteen runs later. Zak Bess was batting well and, with George Stephenson, started to take the initiative from the home side. Stephenson was dropped on nine as lunch was approached with increasing confidence. In the last over before the break the captain was trapped leg before by the leg spinner Miller for a first class eighty-one ball 29. It was unfortunate he did not survive to the break as it is likely he would have capitalised on his patience in improving batting conditions after lunch. The Plymouth College pairing of Stephenson and Alex Hill put on the best partnership of the day, five short of the hundred. Unexpectedly, after facing 66 balls, Hill was bowled by Eggins wrong ‘un for an excellent contribution of 30. He had been an important influence on the cavalier Stephenson who was timing the ball sweetly. The partnership of 54 by Stephenson and Sam Defriend took the day away from Cornwall. Stephenson eventually succumbed for 105 in the fifty-fifth over with Devon now well placed at 228-6. Stephenson’s first fifty came off 58 balls and his hundred off 140. He batted in all 159 minutes, hitting ten fours, and, although he had another life in the nineties, it was a fine aggressive innings in difficult conditions. Defriend had been the ideal foil, working the ball around particularly with an angled bat to 45 degrees either side of the stumps. Matthewman and Defriend added 30, taking Devon past the two fifty. Matthewman struck a confident four but then perhaps was over confident and gave stand-in keeper, Chapman, his one catch. It was now a case of getting the “fourth batting point” and this was achieved in the eighty-third over. After a hesitant start Matt Plowman was now providing solid support. During a drinks break Defriend was advised that a century was there for the taking. He was playing a chanceless innings and looked odds on to reach three figures. He had well and truly passed his previous county highest – 58 v Gwent 2008 – and it looked just a matter of time. Having faced 100 balls and batting for 104 minutes, Sam missed a straight one and was bowled – shades of Chris Metters at Axminster 2007. He had hit 8 fours and his fifty had taken 66 balls. Bess then called Plowman in, he was undefeated on 13. Devon had recovered well, pacing their innings - 311-8 declared. At close of play Cornwall was 25-0 off 16 overs and with a little luck they could have been two down. The close allowed the final tense overs of the first test at Cardiff to be viewed. The Brookdale had been refurbished since the last visit by the nineteens and the Hawkins Arms at Probus gave us a private room and homely fare.

The summer weather of 2009 was proving to be no great improvement on recent summers as the original reasonable weather forecast for the second day was replaced with showers coming in at eleven with heavy thundery rain later in the day. There was no thunder, but the rest was correct. An old sage at Truro considered the day’s play would not start – he was out by 90 minutes. Joe Smith concentrated on ground fielding and close catchers. There was still much room for improvement on the ground work, although Stephenson and DeFriend looked competent under the lid after the tuition. Plowman opened up into a stiff breeze from the Cathedral end and Pav Mawalage from the top end. Pav took the only wicket to fall – a repeat of the previous night when Grainger led a double appeal stumped or caught. He won the decision against the home side’s captain from the bowler’s end umpire. Cocking batted on for a competent 56. Faced with an increasingly wet ball, for the second time in five days, the Devon attack struggled with Pas Mawalage causing most of the problems for the opposition. There were economical, if not threatening, spells from the other seamers, and Pav went for 1.7 off his ten overs. Twenty-three minutes before lunch the umpires called the players off and with increasingly unpleasant conditions the game was called off before 2.00pm. In torrential rain the minibus was loaded, Ashworth kept everyone entertained. The bus was returned to Thrifty’s home base rather than the airport with a request in future for a Ford Transit recorded. Sandford was visited – the first impression was that they had not been subject to the Cornish monsoon - yet.

The forecasters got the next game with Cornwall completely wrong, the radar indicating we should get a game in until predicted rain around six. As it was an early 12.00 noon start, based on this predication, there was real optimism driving up to Exmouth. On arrival at the Maer the cloud was building up over Dawlish and Dave Foreacre, fighting with a puncture on his tractor, was not so hopeful. Devon had a reasonable warm up with all the seventeens joining the squad for the first time in 2009. Zak Bess won the toss and inserted Cornwall. Ryan Skinner and Matt Plowman bowled economically but with the captain, carrying an unreported injury, uncertain to bowl. It would be difficult as he had only fifty overs if all the front line bowlers bowled their full quota. The drizzle became heavy rain and after four overs the umpires called the players off. An eighteen minute break resulted and gave an opportunity to learn that Australia had lost two wickets before lunch at Lords. Devon then bowled another twenty-one overs but at drinks the rain returned and brought an early lunch – bangers, mash and beans – and an early conclusion, as the rain did not stop. Indeed it did not stop for 36 hours! The forecast was totally wrong and resulted in further dejection in a season full of depression. The under 21s game the following day at Truro was called off before 7.30pm. It rained most of the next day which at least had been forecasted.

What was most disappointing, indeed disconcerting, were the twenty-five overs that were bowled. Despite the awful climatic conditions, apart from the first few overs there seemed to be no real purpose, desire or indeed inspiration in the field. This would have to be resolved before the team commenced a packed August with three two day games and another one day game with Somerset. Selection was completely reviewed and a hundred per cent improvement was sought when the side played Somerset at Taunton Vale. Connor Bryan had taken the one wicket to fall bowling the impressive Jenkins. He and the remaining bowlers should have been very disappointed, despite the ball and outfield being very damp. The Test Grade A ball had to be replaced and the second innings one lost – an expensive 25 overs. There had been general lethargy which was a major concern. Libby continued where he had left off at Truro and disappointingly Devon still did not block off his milk shot to mid wicket which was most annoying and cost them at least ten of his nineteen runs off sixty balls. Cocking enhanced his reputation as a batsman of real talent.

Despite the drizzle that intensified, Devon under 16s actually got in another full game. Because of county second team commitments for the rest of the week, the game with Somerset was played on Taunton Vale's picturesque and superbly maintained second ground. As always the Taunton club were outstanding hosts. Devon lost the toss and Somerset batted – this most certainly was Headingley revisited as the coach was keen that Devon should bat. At 23-8 it was a good toss to lose! The captain Zak Bess bowled one of those exceptional spells, well supported by Ryan Skinner. Somerset had five players in the West of England squad to Devon’s one, Cameron Grainger. Three of them were playing and they were all quickly back in the pavilion. It was five for three, Lock bowled Bess’s first ball of his third over, Mount caught behind by the diving Grainger in front of first slip last ball and the much admired Jacob Lintott bowled first ball by Ryan Skinner – his first ever first baller. Next to fall was Kitch bowled Bess again uprooting stumps – a really impressive performance. He took his fourth and fifth wickets in his final over both bowled. His final victim was Freddie Gabbitass who had been a team mate for a number of years. This is where the fast bowling regulations are annoying for Bess in this form would have broken all records. This had been as inspirational spell, as good as they get. His replacement Matt Plowman had a possible gloved caught behind on the hook but made it 21-7 when he bowled Barrett. Under 15 captain Craig Eaves made it 23-8 with another catch for Grainger. The screw should have been applied now but for a period of stiff resistance provided by Devon produced Will Steward. His application was outstanding playing well of his legs and hopefully giving as much as he got in compliments. He was well supported by Musgrave as the pair put on 64 vital runs. There was a miss at slip off Bryan, who proved the most expensive of the Devon bowlers at four an over. Matt Golding replaced Bryan and bowled well with the damp ball. Bess returned and it looked as if he would take another wicket as he varied his length with a well directed short ball that was spooned up to mid off but fell short. Barney Huxtable, giving an impression of his team mate Mark Lathwell off only four paces, took the prized wicket of Steward. He had batted for seven minutes short of two hours in falling three short of a half century and was caught off a long hop by Golding. He then took the final wicket as Brown judged his catch well. 95 all out was a disappointment but was in turn a satisfactory result. There had been a delightful conversation earlier with some Somerset players who felt that twenty might be an achievement! Bess’s blast against a class top order will be long remembered.

Devon needed application and they got it in spades from Tom Mitcham, whose 2009 run feast had earnt him a batting place in Braunton’s first team and an invitation to play for the MCC against ESCA at Lords in September. It must have been a huge disappointment to him when rain again reduced this prestigious game at headquarters to a Twenty20 and he missed out on the final selection. The captain’s batting was not up to his bowling, as he was bowled for an eight ball duck. Mitcham and Brown put on 31 before Brown was caught behind. He had ensured that Devon did not fall into the trap of stagnating, hitting three fours in his twenty-nine ball 19. Huxtable made certain that Devon maintained the initiative hitting Lintott over the top with confidence but eventually gave his wicket away when he was caught off Lintott. Stephenson played his shots but not for long enough as he was bowled behind his legs to give Gabbitass some pleasure. Mitcham was now playing the key role and, with Grainger, put on the twenty runs needed to clinch a satisfying victory. There was a huge improvement on the performance against Cornwall. It was reassuring that a player indicated that too many gift wickets had been given away. The fielding, in the main, was up by 50% but the over rate still not up to the required standard. However Devon had played a full game at last!!!!

The two day game with Somerset was a perfect trial for the 2010 under 17 season. It demonstrated all the requirements needed to perform well in the ECB competition - bat the day, score 350 plus, get them in for half an hour, a top order batter to score a ton, support him, the lower order to make a vital contribution, get an early wicket before close of play (well you can not have it all), field well, get in 18 plus overs an hour, bowl to fields, have patience, there will be partnerships, work harder if you are a bowler short, make things happen, win each session, keep at it – 18 points brilliant. It was obvious that Torquay had worked hard after the twenty-ones game the previous day as the ground was again in perfect condition. The day started badly when Matt Plowman pulled up with a shoulder rotation injury. It was good at last to sample the NHS in Devon – the last time had been Andrew Buzza at Axminster. As with that visit, it was a critical one for the player and whilst Buzza got the nod to take part the following week in the Isle of Wight poor Matt was advised to visit a physio and rest!! Not the news he wanted to hear as he had only broken into the side this summer. This was the third and hopefully final visit of the summer. A kit is now kept in the car for the hospital waiting room, all off course with gold lions. It was a real disappointment for player and team as was the message from the ground that Tom Mitcham had left a straight one – his second ball – have a good day Tom (his comment was I might as well have only come tomorrow!). The captain was allegedly in fine form – it was not witnessed but he is batting well. All his runs were fours and he scored three of them but Devon was now 25-2. Alex Brown and Barney Huxtable are the engine room of the side and they then contributed 149 runs. They initially batted to lunch taking the score to 143-2 off 33 overs. They are a good combination and bat well together. The real disappointment was that Brown did not make three figures. In the seventh over after lunch he was caught by Blanchard thirty short. He had faced 117 balls hitting ten fours in a really important contribution. Huxtable now needed support. Occupation of the crease can be added to the list above. George Stephenson, who later in the day withdrew from the tour, batted thirty-six minutes to help add 32 and gain another hypothetical batting point. Defriend looked as if he had not spent much time at the crease recently and scored an eleven ball 1 – he agreed it had not been good enough. Alex Hill nearly lasted another half an hour, two minutes short, and he was stumped for a three four sixteen. The 5-6-7-8-9 of the team have to be prepared and able to bat sessions. The nine - Connor Bryan had already displayed this skill at seventeens. Will Matthewman, who came in at 8, had appeared in The Independent virtually 80% of the summer with his batting exploits, now was an excellent opportunity for him to transfer this form to the county stage. His initial cause was not helped by the loss of his partner five runs after entering the arena. Huxtable had been simply magnificent; the compliments had been flowing particularly from the Torquay captain who would be coaching the Midland Tour party. His concentration, shot selection and demeanour were first class. He passed his third successive ton against Somerset and on 128 – just four runs short of the highest ever under 16 score (Richard Baggs 1991) – fell playing on. He had taken Devon from 25 to 259, faced 164 balls, batted for thirteen minutes over three hours and hit fourteen fours and two sixes. He had been brilliant. Matthewman was joined by his former Paignton colleague, Connor Bryan, and they put on nineteen before Matthewman was bowled by Berkley, fifth over after tea. Craig Eaves showed his intent as another 30 were added before he was bowled by Miller for ten. The real surprise package was the last wicket partnership, an undefeated 45. Ryan Skinner looked a batter, he had also featured in The Independent the previous week and showed his shirt number should have been 11 not 12. The final “batting point” was achieved and declaration discussions were opened. A number had slipped on the scoreboard and Bryan was apparently close to a maiden fifty – as it transpired he was 32 not 42 – but he accelerated and a drinks break gave him another over. He reached it in style driving three fours – a well deserved reward for a very unassuming cricketer with no side – the type of player all sides need. He was unbeaten on 56 (69 balls and minutes) and Skinner on 10 off 19 – just what was needed. Somerset had 16 overs and opened with the previous year’s Wiltshire under 15 captain, Phillips, and Musgrave, who had been a pain (in the nicest possible sense) the previous week. They put on 33 with little mishap.

It started raining at five, it had to, half of Somerset was under canvas, but it brightened up as the meeting time arrived. Bacon rolls were the order of the day as the sun shone and the Torquay team worked hard. Play started on time. As often is the case, it was a smart run out by Matthewman and Brown that again changed things to remove Musgrave. Phillips and Ellison had added 18 when Eaves yorked Ellison and thirty eight were added for the third wicket. The spin bowling department of a two day side is critical, the successful ones have wicket taking spinners. Two thousand and nine had not been an easy one for spinners but the good ones, such as Chappell and Metters, still took wickets inexpensively. The seamers should be able to block an end up but your spinner has to be able to take three or four wickets an innings. As an experiment Joe Smith and Zak Bess turned to Tom Mitcham and Sam Defriend. The Midland Tour and more importantly 2010 would need 50/75 overs of spin an innings. It worked, Mitcham extracted bounce and the unpredictable Defriend spin! Phillips was the first to fall bowled Mitcham, the umpire’s verdict: it did come back – a bit. He had scored 45 off 130 hitting 8 fours. Two wickets fell at 103 Defriend with Bryan’s help sent back the captain Wilmott for 31 and the previous week’s hero, Will Steward, was stumped Brown, bowled Mitcham for 2. It was a smart stumping by Alex Brown, understudy to Cameron Grainger, who was with the West at Loughborough. He had advised us he could do it and………, although his fielding was missed. Lunch was taken at 125-5 off 53. The lasagne and garlic bread had been chosen the previous week and was very well received. Patience and there will be a partnership were the thoughts post lunch – indeed you can add post lunch sessions can be difficult to the list. Ninety-one runs were added for the sixth wicket by the two youngsters Kitch and Blanchard. They batted well but in the eighty-third over Sam Defriend dived forward to take a smart caught and bowled. Kitch had scored 42 off 103. Eight bowlers had been used. The new ball was taken and Somerset seven runs into their second hundred when Eaves had Blanchard well held by Brown for 41 and tea was taken at 212-7. The eighth wicket put on 29 when Bryan gave Brown his third victim. Bryan was having an expensive second spell, six overs six maidens 1-0! Four were added for the ninth before Skinner got his wicket, trapping Berkley in front. The final wicket fell in the fourth over of the final hour when Bess eventually got into the act bowling Miller for 4. Nine days earlier he had started it and it was fitting he should finish it. The bad news that he was to miss the Midland Tour was passed on to an unlucky player who hopefully will stick at it and force his way back in 2010. The football was concluded with a steal out of Peter Withe’s locker. This had been a massive learning exercise, particularly for some parents who did not fully appreciate what the side was trying to achieve. The side accomplished it all. This was Joe Smith’s final involvement. His two years with us had been of the highest standard; he followed in a top line of coaches and is up there with the best of them. His input and contribution had been vital, he has been the link between two generations and had been exceptional. He had earnt the respect of all his players (well perhaps not his latest Facebook friend), opposition and management alike. Life goes on but he has left an indelible mark on Devon under 16 and 17 cricket. Torquay could not have done more and they somehow provided sunshine and two days’ play.

The journey to Leamington took longer that TOMTOM indicated and the driver did not understand the long blast from the artic but the sun was shining. Luke Tuckett, all is forgiven, as there was no room in the inn for Huxtable and his Ipod he ended up on the front bench – his music contribution was truly awful. We met the Thompsons at the Michael Wood Services, we could not get away from them in 2009. They were off to celebrate their silver wedding in the Malvern Hills. Fortunately the Ashes were coming home and we changed over to hear the platitudes, if not any wickets. We did hear the interviews and presentations. The Holiday Inn was fine but not a contender for an award this year – really hot even with a fan. The Guide Dog convention at least made two of the party feel totally at home. Fortunately we had not left Ryan Skinner at the services and we all left for the Union which was a reasonable choice. There had not been many options as most pubs in the area stopped serving after 4.30pm on a Sunday. The meal was enlightened by Defriend’s amusing report on the Ipplepen under 17 game that won his club the South Devon title the previous week. It was a bright start to the day although the captain had confided the night before he had no travel kit and that was just the start of two of his not most successful days. Within ten minutes Leamington turned out to be all it had been cracked up to be – we could not have been made more welcome over the two days at the ground. Warwickshire’s quick bowler was with the 19s and another was injured so all appeared right with the world!

Zak Bess won the toss and batted and after 53 minutes at the crease he was back in the pavilion for a 32 ball six. With Tom Mitcham he had put on 33 off 15 overs. The key partnership of the innings took place as Mitcham and Brown took Devon up to lunch at 107-1, both had batted beautifully, strong off the back foot and dealing with the unexpected low bounce exceptionally well. Six overs after lunch the first turning point of the match occurred. Hussey Mitcham called Ponting Brown for a very sharp single, good egg that he is Brown responded immediately only for Mitcham to have a change of heart and not move from his crease, leaving the Exeter man high and dry. It did not take a Flintoff return to the bowler’s end, a simple lob was sufficient, and Brown was out by 11 yards. The game turned with this dismissal, Devon was now 119-2 but soon 123-3 as Huxtable was caught after nine minutes, fifteen balls for 3. Grainger and Mitcham added 35 for the fourth wicket when Grainger again fell in the twenties – in the long term he needs to score more heavily. Tea was taken at 209-5 as Alex Hill (9) had fallen in the sixty-eighth over. One of the forecasted heavy showers, which had up until tea kindly kept away from the ground, enforced an extra hour’s play up until 7.00pm. Sam Defriend (14) helped Mitcham take the score up to 221 when Defriend, who did not look like a nobody at the crease, was unprofessionally run out backing up – another gift to the opposition. At least he was big enough to purchase new spikes and boots the next day! The seventh wicket was the big one. The new ball had been passed on to the umpires but not yet utilised, when a tired Tom Mitcham played across a straight one to be leg before. Fortunately he had reached three figures, his first fifty off 126 balls, his hundred coming up off 250 balls. He had been at the crease for 86 overs and his 110 out of 230 was a major, indeed outstanding, contribution. Tom Mitcham really blossomed in 2009 and is one of the side’s heavyweights in a very strong top order. Tea was taken three overs later. Connor Bryan was now undertaking his now very polished role of marshalling the tail. Eaves and Golding came and went taking the score up to 246. Enter Max Curtis, the discovery of the tour. He had been strongly recommended at Exmouth in early August for the wicket taking off spinners role but circumstances dictated that this North Devon first teamer would not be available to us until this week. He batted so maturely that, with the exemplary Bryan, Devon advanced to 273. Devon bravely declared with six overs remaining. Had this been a championship game we would have batted on for the final batting point and to try and kill the game. With the light really poor, there was also the chance that Warwickshire would not have batted again in the day which would have made the decision pointless. It was anticipated that Devon would pick up a couple of wickets, to make the declaration the correct decision, they had to pick up at least one. The light got brighter so that in fact the final few minutes were some of the brightest of the day. Devon attacked with three slips and two gulleys but, at close of play, Warwickshire was 14-0. Tom Allin had joined us for the afternoon session, a most welcome and modest visitor. He was due at Walmley the next day playing for Warwick IIs against Derbyshire. Old games were remembered and he was a joy.

Burgers replaced steaks, the side was optimistic, Villa beat Liverpool - a reasonable day all round. The forecast was not so good but, despite heavy rain in Solihull, a full day’s play was achieved. It went well, although for the second successive game Devon's attack was a bowler light, with Connor Bryan resting his shins. Ryan Skinner nipped one back in the fourth over to trap the powerful Whittock. From 22-1 Warwickshire advanced to 70 off 26 overs with Bess setting 9-1 fields. By now spinners Golding and Curtis were in tandem and for the first time this year a major problem appeared to have been resolved. All summer we had been seeking a wicket taking off spinner, so enter under 15 Max Curtis. He has been producing the goods for North Devon first team and now proceeded, with Golding's help, to reduce Warwickshire to 111-5 at lunch. His first wicket was a stunning one handed (his left) caught and bowled to remove Klapper, 70-2. Eight runs later he had the captain caught behind, he trapped Ali in front on 92 and then lured Harding to beat him in the flight to bowl him. An exceptional spell from a very promising prospect. After lunch we missed a vital catch as the eventual match winner Burton struck Golding to short mid wicket when with both hands above his head Mitcham missed it. He had been fielding all morning like an underground conveyer of waste water and this brought him down to earth. Burton took his side within reach of victory as 92 were added with Payne, who played the ideal foil, facing 82 balls for his 17. Golding did get his wicket – Payne at 195 with a catch from Hill. One run short of two hundred Burton was eventually removed for an outstanding 136 ball 73 when Mitcham caught him on the square leg boundary off another Huxtable long hop. Tea was taken at 217-7 evenly poised. With the new ball due, the tactics were discussed, immediate pressure after tea was needed at both ends, the first over went for 9, the second 10, Bess bowled himself the third and took out Grundy with a good low catch at third slip by Brown, he only conceded one run but the next over went for ten so from 217-7 after four overs it was now 246-8 with just 28 needed with plenty of overs remaining – game over. Warwickshire passed their target in the ninety-fourth over without further loss, Skinner took his second wicket in bowling the now charging Nandra, Bess caught Brown off Huxtable to leave the keeper Gately unbeaten on 50 – Warwickshire 292 all out. The spinners had bowled 42 overs taking an impressive 5-111. The pair will be a force in 2010 but it is hoped that at his next service Curtis has an on/off switch fitted. Devon batted for 13 overs, Bess completed a less memorable day as Brown and Huxtable scored 83 before Huxtable was stumped for a 34 ball 43 leaving Brown undefeated on a 42 ball 39 and Devon declared 23 hours after they had done so the previous day. This was a game for learning lessons and Devon achieved much. They moved on to the famous Black Country of the Midlands. A totally different dialect but Barney had no trouble in understanding when he was being chatted up on entering the pub. Devon was taken back in time – sawdust and spittoons (well not quite!). A regular transpired to be the grandfather of a Staffs under 15 as he entered into a long conversation and they would visit us on Thursday. They ran out of 16oz steaks but everybody was tired it was not the end of the world and they promised to do better the next day which they did..

The Travelodge was new style and most certainly cooler, although we were subsequently advised that fans are always available if you ask. The radar indicated no chance of play so Boundary, Edgbaston, Villa Park and Star City were lined up. It only took a couple of minutes to arrive at another top Birmingham League ground and we were greeted with the news that we would start on time! The ground staff could not have been more helpful as they removed the extensive covering. Bess again won the toss and inserted. It really was more like November, cold and bleak, but dry. The conditions were ideal for the seamers and Ryan Skinner continued to impress by bowling the opener Woodward for 7, the captain then bowled Ahmed for 1 and a Golding’s catch gave Skinner his second wicket as Staffordshire were reduced to 29-3 off 15 overs with Skinner 2-8 off six and Bess 1-20. Eaves and Curtis both bowled a maiden when the drizzle became heavier and the umpires wisely called them off. We did not get back on despite slight improvements so we had an opportunity of reviewing our kit with its manufacturer. Around 3.30pm tea was taken and with it a mutual decision to call it a day and come back the next day. It was agreed that we would start at 10.30am, cut the intervals and play a sixty over game. We then went to Kings Heath via Edgbaston to look at Boundary’s base. The 16s were invited to test drive some Ihsan Inferno 950 bats. The visit meant that we had to travel back across Birmingham in the rush hour in the rain – happy memories! The coach gave a media lesson to the players as he was interviewed live on Radio Devon. He had been in demand from all the local media so we all knew Torquay would not be contacting the other grounds and they were confident of missing the drop – sadly both Torquay and Sandford, who had been outstanding hosts this summer, were relegated. Joe Smith’s MCC game had been called off but at least it should assist his membership application and would be replayed in 2010. The Railway was most welcoming, 16 oz, surf and turfs and faggots were all in stock and an enjoyable meal was had. The inaugural Alex Hill Question of Year Award unsurprisingly went to Alex Hill. This is likely to be a most prestigious and sought after award in youth cricket in the years to come. It is anticipated that next year it will have a Harry Hill TV Burp style jingle and video to accompany its presentation. There was soon a malicious rumour circulating that Max Curtis was already rehearsing for next year.

The final day of the tour was dry and the sun shone. Petrol was needed so the minibus would make the short drive on its own, over the roundabout, left and left again easy. Fifteen minutes later after Walsall University and Rugby Grounds had been inspected more by luck rather than judgement we eventually reached the Travelodge and tried again. Devon was more successful this time, the second left had been the initial problem. Bess made it three tosses out of three and batted. He again did not reach double figures, being stumped with the keeper standing back! Apart from Haberdashers he had been unfortunately unable to repeat his outstanding batting performances at 17s. With all his other responsibilities, a drop down the order might be fairer to him next summer. The second wicket partnership of Tom Mitcham and Alex Brown again fired taking Devon from 39 to 121 in 20 overs, both were continuing where they had left off at Leamington. Brown again looked an exceptional performer but did not bat on. He was leg before for an outstanding 52. He hit three fours and sixes, his fifty came off 57 balls and the Greenbook was surreptitiously being checked for records but this was the first ever 60 over game for the sixteen’s. Barnie Huxtable added 24, with his Braunton partner scoring 18 off 21, Cameron Grainger had to bat with Mitcham for lunch and Devon was 162-3 off 39 at the interval. Grainger then unselfishly tried to push it on post curry and was caught and bowled for a 46 ball 23. Alex Hill probably approached the crease with some nerves but he responded really well hitting a 30 ball 26, running exceptionally. At 226 Mitcham left him. Tom had actually struggled in the nineties and nearly did not make history by scoring a second successive ton. He had again looked a class act and reached three figures on only his one hundred and thirty-ninth ball – another very special performance. Next ball he was out having hit 10 fours and a six in 171 minutes – extraordinary. Sam Defriend came and went in three balls and Devon was now 227-6. Hill and Craig Eaves pressed their foot on the accelerator, scoring a rapid 54 in 37 balls - Hill (9/10), Eaves (43/27). Both filled vital roles with Eaves in his element. Hill departed at 281 and the overs ran out with the score at 287-7. Eaves hit four fours and a six in his quick fire 44 off 29 – sparkling; Curtis had another red inker 5 off 4.

As the previous day the opening bowlers struck – Java bowled Bess, Ahmed well caught by Grainger off Bess, (11-2), Biddulph bowled Skinner, Woodward bowled Eaves, Jelfs leg before bowled Eaves (27-5) – outstanding seam bowling of the highest quality. McChristy and Smith dug in putting on 67 off 122 balls before Eaves took his third and final wicket, bowling Smith for a 60 ball 37. Skinner now returned to the attack to bowl keeper Williams and Warren. It seemed the game was now nearly over as our hosts were 110-8 which became 112-9 when Bess bowled Spencer. McChristie, who had taken 114 balls and 254 minutes to score a fine fifty, then just teed off! Now after 130 balls he had reached 97. He is one who lives by the sword and he was not going to reach three figures in ones as he had another go at the captain and was leg before. He had hit twelve fours and four sixes in a massive onslaught. Staffordshire was all out for 166 with Zak Bess taking a very impressive 4-25 off 10.2, Ryan Skinner 3-26 off twelve and Craig Eaves, who had suffered in the onslaught, 3-51 off nine having been 3-31 off eight! A Huxtable over had gone for 18. We hope for a fully fit bowling Barnie in 2010 as he was hugely missed in 2009. Grainger’s performance behind the stumps had been his best of the season, tidy and efficient. Connor Bryan had made a brief return to the field, he was the unluckiest player. His season had started on the sidelines and so it had ended. Zak Bess had led well and after the game made one of the most important captaincy decisions of his career. Justin Yau had been a very popular coach and Walsall perfect hosts.

Those who chose Kentucky Fried made the right decision over Burger King but the ice cream was eventually shared. With one player preferring a GCSE results party, the coach was solo up front but did his best to satisfy most tastes apart from the driver. There was a delay just outside Taunton but all the players were pleased with their results. Mitcham, completing a memorable and record breaking week, and the now definitely somebody Defriend were the stars with 8A* and 3 A’s. A useful week completed with a fine win. The season started with the loss of three very important players – Steward, Gabbitass and Winsor and hopefully they all had been satisfactorily replaced by the end – a good season despite the weather. Exeter Services was entered with the Black Eyed Peas having a feeling that the night was going to be a good night – it had been a good week.

This squad have the potential to be one of the very best, 2010 could be a very successful summer if full availabilty and fitness is achieved. They are strong in all departments, a really sturdy and versatile batting line up, good seamers and spinners, competent keepers and a very good tight unit. The leadership team of Bess, Brown, Mitcham and Huxtable is strong and wise, the fielding and commitment nearly reached an acceptable level even with the hiccup at Walsall. All that we can ask for is decent weather! The 2009 season from a weather point of view was simple abysmal and that makes the contribution from our hosts even more exceptional, we were treated royally at all our grounds both home and away. Joe Smith will be a huge void to fill but we were fortunate that Justin Yau was available to be with us in Wales with the seventeens and on the trip up to the Midlands. The scorer/travel manager again achieved the near impossible keeping us within budget and yet providing a roof, some decent grub and, of course, some statistics. The umpires had an equally trying summer trying to ensure cricket was played in difficult circumstances and achieved a great deal. The Batsman of the Year was Tom Mitcham, the first under 16 to score two tons in a summer and producing the fifth best average (Alex Brown’s 55.55 was the fourth). Leading wicket taker Zak Bess’s fine bowling in the away game with Somerset won him the vote as Bowler of the Year and he too picked up the Player of the Year Award. This was a summer of real promise that will hopefully be converted into something really special in 2010.

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