Devon's
Pace Attack Destroys Depleted Somerset
Once
more Adam Dibble won the toss and Devon decided to
bat on an excellent pitch at Blundells. The Somerset
bowlers exploited the new ball and swung it prodigiously
and the early loss of James Burke, who was caught
off a no ball beforehand, could have been important.
Sam Smith and Luke Bess however guts it out and gradually
compiled runs putting on 65 in 18 overs before Bess
fell for 32. Shane Evenden followed shortly, beaten
by the flight and Justin Williams briefly joined Smith
(37) who got out caught off a full toss on the square
leg boundary. All the time the match off the pitch
was getting gripping and players and parents were
glued to the radio or watching the TV. The game was
halted temporarily when England took the vital wicket
and cheers and relief spread around the ground. With
this all going on Williams (25) and Harry Stephenson
(21) saw Devon through to lunch at 102-4, with Williams
showing that you can play the spinners if you have
a plan and limit you shot selection. Batting to orders
they started to pick up the tempo after lunch, but
wickets started to fall, before Tom Cross entertained
but was then out stumped or was it run out and Adam
Dibble and Mark Gilmour batted with licence and put
on 35 in the last 3.3 overs. 196-8 off 50 overs probably
worth 230+ on the slow outfield.
James
Burke struggled with his rhythm but once Adam Dibble
got used to the swing he bowled beautifully taking
two wickets in 3 overs, the second up rooting the
leg stump, immediately putting Somerset on the back
foot. Somerset tried to rally but a stunning gulley
catch by Harry Stephenson off Sam Cload put a stop
to that and Cload then took his second a regulation
keeper catch by Smith. Shane Evenden then took two
wickets in two balls, the first a great slip catch
by Luke Bess and the second clean bowled. Luke Bess
then knocked the off stump out of the ground with
his first ball, which pitched just outside off stump
swung in and then seamed. Will Denford nearly took
a fantastic reaction catch off Evenden at silly mid
off before tea was taken. 60-7. A more determined
Somerset and a relaxed Devon delayed the inevitable,
before Bess took 2 wickets in two balls, the first
a good catch by Burke above his head at extra cover.
Adam dibble came back on and finished off the proceeding
bowling Leach, Somerset 106 all out , Devon winning
by 91 runs. Devon's pace attack again showed
that it is one of the best youth attacks in the Country.
Be proud!
Our
thanks to Blundells School, John Smith, the Umpires
and parents.
