Devon Under 13s Match Report
Devon v Gwent U13. Sunday 3 rd June 2007 played at Llanath CC, Gwent. (Friendly)
Gwent 141-9 (40 overs). C.Eaves 4-30, M.Golding 3-29
Devon 142-5 (37 overs) H.Folland 43, C.Overton 37
Devon won by 5 wickets .
Devon U13s first outing of the year was a successful trip to Llanarth, damp but picturesque. Gwent made heavy going of dealing with our re-enforced attack, and had reached only 57 off the first 20 overs. Newcomer Toby Lochead had an excellent debut first spell of 10 off 4 overs, and went on to take 3 excellent catches. The Gwent innings floundered in the second 20 overs, with Craig Eaves bagging 4 wickets to demolish the tail end. Earlier on, skipper Matt Golding had bowled well to dispatch the middle order.
Some slipshod fielding will need to be worked on, but we certainly had the better of the first Innings.
In reply, we had a sound opening partnership of 42 from Harrison Folland and George Yates, with Harrison going on to score a classy 43. We were always in with the asking rate, and got there with three overs to spare, although there was a minor crisis of confidence in the middle order, until old hands Max Curtis and Matt Golding steerd us to victory with overs to spare.
We were deserved winners, and it is gratifying to be able to reverse last year's result. The team will have gained confidence with this result, and we look forward to this weekend's "double"of Millfield and Hampshire.
Devon U13 v Millfield School. Saturday 9th June 2007 played at Culmstock C.C. (Friendly)
Devon 152-6 (40 overs). O.Alam 52
Millfield 153-4
Devon lost by 6 wickets
Our annual friendly against Millfield took place this year in the congenial location of Culmstock, and we used the occasion to take a look at some of the boys in the squad who hadn't had much of a turn against Gwent the previous week. This gave captain Matt Golding a headache knowing who to bowl and when, “too many bowlers” as he complained at the drinks break.
Choosing to bat first, we had had a stand of 47 between Matt and Craig Overton, and were entertained by a breezy 52 from Osama Alam, including the day's only 6. However, we did not sustain momentum in the crucial third quarter of the innings, as Millfield tried a whole range of bowlers (some better than others!) and 152 looked a bit short of what we might have hoped for. The batting order is going to be a crucial area for future discussion.
Millfield, too, had a steady start, but their innings was held together by a good knock of 69 not out by Will Jenkins, who found the knack of avoiding fielders (something we too often had failed to do). No-one of the 9 bowlers tried bowled badly, and Christian Buckner bagged his first County wicket, but we were unable to stem the runs, and Millfield reached their target with overs to spare. Admittedly, our key bowlers didn't return, but the purpose of the match was to give experience and help us in the campaign ahead, which it certainly did.
Devon U13 v Hampshire. Sunday 10 th June 2007 played at Sidmouth C.C. (ECB Comp)
Devon 158- 9 (40 overs) M. Curtis 72
Hampshire 159-4 (37 Overs)
Devon lost by 6 wickets
Where better to spend a cricketing Sunday than at Sidmouth? In hot conditions, we entertained Hampshire in a match that was closer than the score suggests.
Batting first, we had a nightmarish start, with the score at 32-3 after 10 overs. We were then treated to a classy innings of 72 from Max Curtis, which was to form the core of our score. A pity no-body else stayed in long enough to give him really serious support, although Seamus McKenna briefly entertained us with a sparky 21. These were good batting conditions, and we must aim for higher totals in these League matches.
In reply, the Hampshire total was based around an assured knock of 82 not out by J.George. Again, the bowling was reasonably persevering, but the total was well within Hampshire's grasp, and for the second day running we lost by 6 wickets. Fielding was good, with Seamus taking two catches behind the stumps, but morale started sagging towards the end.
Hampshire is always a tough fixture at the start of the season, but we will need to bat with greater confidence and bowl tightly and enthusiastically for the whole innings to turn things around for us in the remaining matches this season.
Devon U13 v Dorset. Sunday 24th June 2007 played at Bournemouth C.C. (ECB Comp)
Game cancelled due to rain
Devon U13 v Wales. Monday 25th June 2007 played at Sandford C.C. (Friendly)
Game cancelled due to rain