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The rain band was due to start around 5.00am but did not start until close to 8.00am when droplets were evident on the Seven. It rained as the cross city route was taken to Ombersley with Harry Booker soon realising he had not got his kit. Action was delayed until the ground was reached. Rain was still in the air but the playing area was fully covered and the ground team were using a hog to remove the water from the sheets. The scorer returned for the kit hopeful that she would be visiting the Suite but that was occupied by Matt Kidd. As with Taunton Vale, Ombersley is a regular venue for second team cricket and has all the kit to ensure play takes place whenever possible. They also have a retired groundsman from New Road who has a single aim of ensuring cricket. The scorer returned and entered into a long conversation on one of her earliest loves, the Girl Guides, who were celebrating their centenary over the road with a large camp. It was International Day and she offered Craig Eaves to make his presentation on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Climatic conditions improved and a 12 noon start would be made. Brown called incorrectly and a long day in the field was anticipated on a potential road. Jamie Overton who had been a major worry since Sandford with his ankle problems then set up Devon with two quick wickets and a request for new bootes and ice after his seven overs. Without overblowing this, his spell was always going to be critical to Devon’s day and he produced the goods. He had Steve Rhodes son caught by brother, not entirely cleanly, for a duck and then bowled Brighton with the score on 32. Thirty-six runs later Paignton’s George Yates then took THE wicket when he trapped Steel leg before on a similar score that he had not been run out the previous day. One run later Yates dived forward to catch the hard driving Brown off his own bowling, a critical five balls from the impressive all rounder. From 75-4 Worcestershire advanced to 93-4 at lunch with the visitors reasonably satisfied with the first session. Booker took his first wicket in the fifth over after lunch when Mason took him on (apparently the Worcester coach did not think he had been attacked enough the previous day) and was caught by Kidd. This looked to be a potential disaster as the fielder totally misjudged his positioning on what looked a simple chance and had to resort to sticking out a hand over his head. This was another turning point but Kidd’s ability to catch fish (a 2 lb 13 trout his best on the Cam) far more easily than the ball is still a major concern. Thirty-three runs later Booker showed once again how to catch a ball as he stuck out his hand high above his not insignicant height to hold a memorable caught and bowled. His next wicket came four runs later when Jamie Overton pouched a vital slip catch. Most of the previous day batters were now out and Devon were really well placed at 132-7. The eighth wicket put on 32 runs when with tea approaching the captain chanced his arm by bringing on the leg spin of Tom Mitcham and his own bowling (type still undefined), it amazaingly worked. Woodhouse wacked an awful Mitcham ball to mid wicket where Jamie Overton clung on, next over the pressure that Brown’s bowling was excerting (!) resulted in a sucide run leaving Huxtable and Grainger to clean up. Tea was taken at 164 – 9 another very special performance in the field. The last pairing added 35 but did not reach the second batting point as Booker returned to take his fourth wicket and second caught and bowled diving to his right, two handed – pretty impressive. As with the loss of Bess and Cousens, the unfortunate injury to Max Curtis has given others real opportunites and the way that the Overton’s, Yates and Booker have responded and taken their chances is really amazing and has given the side some real bite and not a little additional ability. Booker finished with 4-48 off 16.4 but his day had not been completed. This was not the time to express inner fears but it was likely the next 24 overs would decide the sides fate for the season. Not for a number of seasons has it been necessary to undertake a WALK, Joe Smith resorted to his book (not a Booker Prize canditate according to Mitcham). The instructions were for Mitcham and Huxtable to grind it out and be there at close. Ombersley Village was where the first wicket fell. Mitcham’s disapointing run continuing with an 18 ball four. Harry Booker had been invited to bat three, he might not understand this but it was a huge complement for he has batted resolutley whenever given the chance. An orange and lemonade was not enjoyed at the Kings Arms but the local paper read from cover to cover with an interesting report on a 71 year old ASBO offender. At five to six the decision was made to return to the ground and a surreptitious look over the hedge was made, Booker was there but the other batter was not visible. The scoreboard showed 52 runs and was that just one wicket – yes. Sheer relief but the dogs were still to be under the cosh until close. On returning to the pavilion it was good to see Connor Bryan padded up along with the captain but Huxtable then on drove just over mid on’s head and shouts to keep going eminated from his team. Close was reached at 69-1 with firm instructions from the coach to conceal the pleasure, this was kept for the dressing room. The Braunton pair must have batted exceptionally, confirmed by all who had watched. Game on. We reached the Fox at 8.30am when Booker made an interesting presentation on Gilbert rugby balls and the significance of 1823. Eaves photographic aides had the management close to tears in another very well received presentaion. The food went down well. We had our first real contender for the Alex Hill Question of the Year (rugby tour). The Great Wadham, no not the famous magician but the bowler that has ensured Heathcoat with almost certain premier cricket in 2011, joined his club vice captain on his way to the A Team movie.
A brighter second day, a nominal lie in offered as accounts were settled and a minor complaint received with regard banging doors. For future reference banging doors do irritate. Batting was the theme of the warm up but the coach gave the fisherman some special work, to sadly no avail. The overnights were told to bat to lunch, seeing off the first hour which they did with no difficulty. Lunch was reached at 179-1 off sixty, something inconceivable at 5.45pm the previous night. They received a most deserved ovation. The morning session was enlightened by a photo shoot and it was interesting to watch the contortions the bowlers got themselves into to get into the next edition of Wocestershire Life. Back to the cricket the green book had been earlier checked and discarded. The best second wicket partnership record was 208 (Neil Bettiss and Brent Garner v Dorset 2001) which was also the second highest under 17 partnerships, surely they would not get close. It was not to be beaten but following the interval the pair advanced their partnership to 186 when Booker’s exemplary concentration failed and he gave Biddolph the charge. Huxtable had failed as he had been instructed to ensure a maiden fifty for his partner. Huxtable had passed three figures before lunch when ringed by a one saving field he lifted Biddulph over the inner field to the boundary. Devon was now just five runs short of the ten points. The pair had batted for 209 minutes facing 400 balls of which Booker share was 202. This had been the fifth highest under 17 partnership. He had ensured his side would complete a clean sweep of first innings wins in 2010. The only previous occasion this had been achieved was in 2005 in the then third division (this side are playing in the top division) by another exceptional group of cricketers. Brown and Huxtable ensured the win points and then Huxtable did it again as on Tuesday he followed his partner stumped by Dodd. His 139 was the eighth highest score and perhaps his own contribution after a lean spell showed the world his character and skill. He had only recently attended a session at Worcester and here was clear evidence to the county of his huge ability. The final four partnerships gained full bonus points Brown and Craig Overton – 28, the twins 30 off 30, the two Craig’s 5 and Eaves and Golding an unbroken 33. Craig Overton scored 31. Matt Golding 21 not out. Devon declared at tea, another splendid spread. There were thirty-three overs left in the day, Worcester reached 103 off 25 and Alex Brown held three catches, an additional point apiece and time for the motorway. Biddulph was caught at gulley off Kidd's ninth ball, Steel made 37 when a full blooded flick was held at the forward of the two short legs and Brighton was held by a diving one handed effort at short leg these two had been off Booker and a close relative would have been pleased with both. Mitcham had nearly picked up another wicket but the diving Yates just failed to make it. It started to drizzle shortly after close of play. Four coaches in convoy made life difficult, it was again Burger King and Kentucky Fried, an under eleven was interrogated on his day in Herefordshire and we were back home before 9.30pm. Even with the success of the Glee TV programme it is a real disapointment that mini bus community singing is a dying art. Perhaps Usher and Eminem do not offer much potential material to the mini-bus singers but based on this trip it is likely that the twenty-ones will be the last of a long line. Maybe Gareth Malone should be invited to a winter workshop.
These were two days to be remembered. |
