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 will 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 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 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 Boundaries 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. 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 hoped that next year it will have a Harry Hill TV Burp style jingle and video to accompany the 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 shining. 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 Walsall University and Rugby Grounds had been inspected eventually through luck rather than judgement we reached the Travelodge again and tried again. Better luck 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! He has been unable apart from Haberdashers to repeat his outstanding 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 again 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 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, Camerion Grainger had to bat with Mitcham for lunch and Devon was 162-3 off 39 at lunch.  Grainger then unselfishly tried to push it on post lunch and was caught and bowled for a 46 ball 23. Alex Hill must have approached the crease with some nerves but he responded really well hitting a 30 ball 26, running really well. 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 – exceptional. 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 rolls 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 bowled 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 when 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 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 sward 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 one massive onslaught. Staffordshire were 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 and we can only 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 as his season had started on the sidelines 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 with 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 – THANK YOU.

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.

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