And so that’s it. The end of the 2007 summer season and what a frustrating season it has been for me, in my first year in charge of the county under-12s, the coaches, players and parents.May I first thank all of you for showing great patience as the weather took its toll? To have to arrange and then cancel so many games was a nightmare.

One of the highlights of the season was Michael Cousens’ ton against Gwent which hasn’t been mentioned yet and was a superb effort.At least the sun shone on us for the festival at King’s, Taunton, which was a hugely enjoyable and successful week both on an off the field.

The first game was against Lancashire. We did well to contain them to 197-9 with Freddie Jayarajah(2-15), Michael Cousens(2-34) and Dylan Penberthy(2-19) all doing well with the ball. One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was our fielding which was exemplary with a couple of direct hits proving practice makes perfect! It is a game we could and should have won. A run-out cost us dear but Josh Mailling(21), Jack Dart(21), Jonty Newton(20) and Ollie Hensberg(17) all chipped in with runs. We eventually finished 56 short.

Day two saw us take on Cambridgeshire, a well-organised team. Again we did well to restrict them to 183-7. Penberthy(3-48) and his leg-breaking spin twin Sam Loud(2-15) were among the wickets. Again we got set for a possible victory with Mailling(41) and Callum Cload(26) giving us a good opening partnership. But again a run-out set us on the back foot from which we never really recovered. Dart(16) was the only batter who made a real contribution lower down the order but we still managed to hold on for a draw on 149-8.

Skipper Cousens led the way in the third game against South African visitors St Stithians. He grabbed 5-37 with the ball as St Stithians as were bowled out for 218 and then led the run chase with an undefeated 54 as we won with six wickets to spare. Mailling was again among the runs with 41 and Newton hit a quick-fire 50 coming in at number six.

Cousens was again the main run-getter in game number four against Hampshire. He notched 81 in a total of 194-9.  Charlie Watson(17) and Paul Heard(18) made valuable contributions lower down the order.Our bowlers battled away admirably but Hampshire batted well in the run chase and got home for the loss of just one wicket.

And then to final game against the old enemy, Somerset. Spinner Loud put the cat among the pigeons with 5-30 from his 10 overs. Cousens(2-29) and Heard(1-32) were also among the wickets as Somerset finished on 196-9.

Mailling(21) again did his best to get us off to a good start with Jack Dart(24) supporting him well at the top of the order. But a middle-order collapse put pay to any hope of victory and defeat seemed inevitable…until Loud and Jack Popham got together. Loud(22) and Popham(24no) put on 54 for the last wicket and took it right down to the second-to-last ball which claimed Loud.

We lost by 51 runs but we battled to the end which summed up the fighting team spirit we had built up during the week and season.

During the winter workshops and games me and coaches Andy Fairbairn and Adam Parker have tried to drill into the players that they should never give up and stay together as a unit. And they did just that. We also said at the start of the sessions that we wanted to get the players playing more serious and harder cricket, both mentally and on the pitch. That, too, I hope we have achieved. That’s not to say we haven’t had bags of fun along the way which we have.

It’s a shame that just as we are getting to know each other it’s time to say goodbye but I am sure we shall be seeing each other on some ground somewhere in the future.

Once again a big thanks to all of you for your effort and enthusiasm which has been second to none. Thanks, too, to Andy and Adam, two of the best coaches I have worked with, for all their invaluable help, guidance and advice.

May you all score lots of runs and take lots of wickets – as long as it’s not against Barton, of course. And please keep in touch.

FESTIVAL SCOREBOARD:

Lancashire 197-9(Jayarajah 2-15, Cousens 2-34, Penberthy 2-19); Devon 141(Mailling 21, Dart 21, Newton 20, Hensberg 17). Devon lost by 56 runs.

Cambridgeshire 183-7( Heard 1-22, Loud 2-15, Penberthy 3-48); Devon 149- 8. (Mailling 41, Cload 26, Dart 16). Match drawn.

St Stithians 218(Jayarajah 1-8, Loud 1-44, Cousens 5-37, Mailling 1-10, Watson 1-27); Devon 219-4( Mailling 41, Cousens 54no, Newton 50no).  Devon won by six wickets.

Devon 194-9(Cousens 81, Davies 12, Watson 17, Heard 18); Hampshire 195-1(Heard 1-17). Hampshire won by nine wickets.

Somerset 196-9(Heard 1-32, Cousens 2-29, Loud 5-30); Devon 145(Mailling 21, Dart 24, Loud 22, Popham 24no). Somerset won by 54 runs.