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"David has victory Wrenched for his grasp" On another boiling hot day Devon Under 14s fielded again and not for the first time had trouble with wides (2 runs for a wide, no extra ball, Festival rules), giving away 51 in Shropshire total of 235-7. The pick of their bowling David Wrench who took 2-42 off 10 overs. Up until a month ago, Wrench was a batsman who bowled a bit but recently he has |
proved himself a genuine all- rounder with his whippy left arm seamers. He was well supported by Jamie Wyman who bowled his off spin, 7 overs for 20 runs and ever reliable Gary Chappell who continued his marvelous form taking 1-19 off 6 overs.
Devon had their customery solid start, with Charles Martin and Chappell putting on 53 in 12 overs before Chappell was bowled, shortly followed by Martin, then Smith and Murray and when Danny Carroll was out, Devon were 101-5 and any victory looked a long way off. Enter Dan Hardy to show what a good batsman he is, as well as a very competent wicket keeper and together with Wrench they gradually pulled Devon out of the mire. They put on 99 in 18 overs before Hardy was out for 31 mature runs off 61 balls. When he was 6th out Devon required 36 runs for victory in 7 overs- less than a run a ball.
As long as Wrench was at the crease victory seemed assured but he was caught on the boundary off a full toss, with 9 balls remaining for another fantastic innings of 73 off 74 balls. His departure left Harry McDowell and Joel Seward needing to score 8 off the last 1.3 overs. 7 required off 6! Seward hits the first for 2. 5 off 5. Seward is bowled. Enter Jamie Wyman, no finger nails left, not having batted all season- we had not practiced this synario- after he patted back the first he tried to hit the next ball out of the ground and unfortunately missed- Devon had lost by 4 runs.
Coaches fault? He should have told Joel to play his natural game and use his feet, going down the track at the bowler hitting straight and Jamie to play straight? Was a draw the better option- No! If Devon had won we would have had 17 points.
Match Lost JUST! 6 POINTS.
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