Devon U13 v Gwent U13

Devon 118  (R Davies 38)

Gwent  119-7  (J Mailling  4-13)

Devon managed to squeeze a game in over an unsettled weekend, and narrowly lost out in an exciting finish at Blundell’s School.

Put in to bat, Devon were soon in trouble (15-3 by the sixth over). Faulty shot selection and poor decision-making were responsible for this calamity. The innings was rescued by an enterprising stand of 48 between Rhys Davies (38) and Jack Dart (21), before the tail fell away badly. We are going to need to build our innings more securely – on this occasion we failed even to bat out the allotted 40 overs.

Gwent started badly as well, with two wickets down by thesixth over. A major stand then took them to  77-2 by the drinks break. A stirring lecture by coach Warren Carr inspired a rather better performance, and Gwent dipped to seven wickets down before creeping past the Devon total.  Josh Mailling’s bowling stint (8-4-13-4)  was exceptiona, but, apart from a propensity to bowl wides, our attack was willing rather than special. Fielding could be improved in future matches.

A squirrel nearly stole some of the tea from the pavilion. We nearly stole this match in a terrific second half comeback. To succeed in our next match, against Millfield, we will need to display focus and consistency from the start, which is possible if we really try.

GHC