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The Under 16 2007 Season

The 2007 Squad

L.Bess (captain); S.Smith (vice-captain);J.Burke; A.Carr; T.Cross; J.Dent; A.Dibble; S.Evenden; W.Gater; M.Gilmour; M.Hickey; R.Shergold; H.Stephenson; M.Thompson; J.Williams.

The 2007 season’s percentage of wins - 80% - is the best ever return from an under 16 group in twenty-seven seasons, a remarkable record. However, in reviewing the summer, it was not the most productive in this period in respect of actual achievement. The two losses were critically, against Wales, the eventual under 16 national champions, in the first game and Buckinghamshire on the first day of the Isle of Wight Festival. The festival title was lost because of this result as the side had to play catch up for the remainder of the week, something they did remarkably well. It will be interesting to see if these two defeats can be reversed in 2008 when the under seventeens play Wales at Exmouth and Buckinghamshire away in the two day competition. Surprisingly, in what was undoubtedly the worst summer weather ever experienced, only one fixture was lost, the home game against Cornwall at Tavistock. However………..

The Met Office web site had been regularly visited for the ten rain filled days prior to the first game against Wales with the forecast fluctuating between heavy rain, light showers and eventually cloud with rain coming in later so we were indeed very fortunate and grateful to Axminster Cricket Club for getting in a full day’s play. The result was not so pleasing as our opponents inflicted the heaviest defeat batting second at this age since 1996. Wales, richly deserved their win as Devon were completely outplayed in all departments and a number of lessons were learnt from this out and out drubbing. It was not a surprise that on arriving  at Cloakham Lawn it was found that the conditions were damp but, with so many fixtures at youth level having already been lost,  it was a huge relief that the fixture was not in doubt. The pre match preparation was adversely affected by traffic delays at Exeter and it was therefore not possible to have the normal pre season discussion. Jack Porter led a good warm up, which included the roping of the outfield, which was certainly a new exercise to many of the players, and Wales won the toss and batted. With the threat of uncertain weather later in the day it had been Devon’s intention to field in order that they could control the run chase – well that had been the idea! The home side’s one and only spell in control of this game lasted precisely six overs with the score standing at 26-2. Adam Dibble, who impressed in both his spells, caught and bowled James on 13 and Butlin was bowled by Burke. West of England under 17 Stephen Inward and his under 15 WoE colleague, Lloyd, then put on 104 off 108 balls as Devon was taken for over six an over as control was totally lost in he field. Another problem was the mounting tally of extras and the propensity of loose balls resulting in a boundary. The introduction into the attack of Gilmour broke the partnership and Inward returned to the pavilion, two short of his fifty, having given Dibble his second catch of the game. This did not bring an end to the onslaught, as Lloyd progressed well past his fifty before becoming Gilmour’s second victim when he was neatly caught behind by Smith for a brilliant 73 off just 68 balls, including eleven fours and two sixes. The score had now reached 165 with six wickets left and 93 balls remaining. If it had been predicted score time something close to 300 would have been popular. However a useful spell from the under 15 captain, Matt Hickey, whose dismissal of Hassen gave Dibble some more Fantasy Points, and some improved fielding kept the final target down to 265. At lunch it was considered that ultimately the main difference between the sides might be the number of extras – Devon had conceded 44 of which 35 had provided additional balls including 27 wides, which at sixteen’s is simply unacceptable. A total of around 220 would have been psychologically easier than the required 5.30 an over. In the field Devon had looked poor, as if they had spent some time out in the recent rain as they were definitely ring rusty whereas Wales looked in prime condition scoring the fifth highest total against Devon.

Despite Matt Hickey proving he could not be relied on as a weather forecaster, having  predicted rain in the twenty-first over, there was not even a hint of an interruption as Devon capitulated in a most agonising manner. With a similar make up to the 2006 squad - good strength in batting all the way down the order - the game plan was to see off the first ten overs without falling too far behind the rate and then a gradual acceleration to a nice little win, well that was the plan! Matt Thompson and skipper Luke Bess put on 45 off 91 balls although they had given Wales an opportunity to break the partnership on more than one occasion. Then all of a sudden Matt Thompson, who had looked in good form including his first county six, premeditated a sweep, actually did nothing and left a straight one which knocked his centre stump sufficiently hard to remove the bails! From such a truly street wise cricketer, it was horrendous. However this partnership was to be the best of a very disappointing innings. Burke and Bess, who were to open very successfully for the 17s in 2007, looked at ease as they took the score up to 70 in one over short of the half way mark. In truth the game was now already nearly over, as the required rate was now seven and a half an over and would shortly reach ten. Bess was caught for a 62 ball 29; Smith walked past a delivery from spinner Tobin to be the first of three batsmen stumped playing defensive shots. James Burke, who had scored 13 off his first 40 balls, then smote 33 off his last 30 and was caught for an innings top score as Nelson struck for the first time in 2007. From 111-4 after 36 overs it was 116-8 fourteen balls later, recalling the collapse the previous season in the corresponding match. Chris Metters was trapped in front for 8, Mark Gilmour was tamely caught and bowled. Shane Evenden and the third under 15, William Gater, were both stumped. Gilmour, Evenden and Gater had not opened their season’s account. The last four batsmen had been perceived to be potentially the powerhouse of the side in 2007, the accelerators and finishers so this was a very disappointing start albeit in difficult conditions. With the pressure now off, the remaining objective was to bat the full fifty overs and to avoid a defeat by over a hundred runs. Sadly neither aspiration was achieved despite bright knocks from Matt Hickey and Adam Dibble, who enhanced their reputations as all-rounders, at least in Dibble’s case until the Isle of Wight! Hickey did not achieve his run a ball target, was a poor weather forecaster but made an excellent overall impression and it was disappointing that the progress of the fifteens in the County Cup competition restricted his opportunities at this level. Justin Williams, had slipped down and down the batting order as the required run rate crept up and up but he did not take the opportunity of making a valid point to the management of what on earth was he doing batting at eleven. Something he did in the next game at the same ground.

Jack Porter considered it a bad day at the office, he was being generous. Based on this performance and reports from previous managers, it was obvious that the side had real individual talent but also patently obvious that this endowment would have to be merged with real team cohesion if the side was to progress further. There were other lessons - no county side should ever concede 44 extras. Their opponents gave Devon just five extra balls in their total of six extras, a vital message. Another lesson to be learnt involved dot balls Devon bowled three maidens to Wales’ nine, thirty boundaries from Wales to Devon's seventeen when the rope was not that far away. Doubts were cast as to the ability of the squad to play spin bowling and the fielding needed urgent attention.

For the friendly against Haberdashers the day was more akin to mid winter than mid summer. As the side arrived at Axminster bright lights shone from the pavilion, unpleasant dark black clouds threatened overhead and there was a generally miserable atmosphere as the warm ups started. Unusually in this disastrous summer three of the previous four days had been better, the twenty-ones had completed a game at Axminster on the Monday, Tuesday was a wet day off at Woodbury, Wednesday was one of the best days of the summer at Exmouth and Thursday a reasonable if mixed day when Devon completed the second win of the week against Wiltshire. The Haberdashers game is an annual chance of giving players an opportunity to impress and this year the fixture had grown in importance as the fifteens had progressed to the quarter finals of their cup competition, in which subsequently they were to beat their opponents Oxfordshire and progress to the national finals whose dates conflicted with the Isle of Wight Festival. So for the first time in thirteen years the fifteens would be ruled out for contention for places at the Isle of Wight Festival in August. This match was therefore even more critical for some of the players not involved in the Welsh game to make an impression. Disconcertingly, just before the start of play the school’s coach suggested that the match should be 40 overs aside, a request not related to the weather and it was abruptly declined but 11 overs were later lost to the weather. Haberdashers won the toss and invited Devon to bat. Justin Williams completed one of the more rapid promotions when he completed the transformation from jack against Wales to opener in this game with Matt Thompson. The pair batted for one hundred and thirty-eight minutes putting on 79 when Thompson missed one and was stumped by Cook, who has been a regular performer in these fixtures over the years and gained his first team colours at tea. For Harry Stephenson, who had been on Duke of Edinburgh Award duty for the first game and subsequently was unable to travel for the Isle of Wight fixture,  this was to prove to be personally a vital game and he faced 14 balls before he was leg before. Adam Dibble, who was helping out with the balance of the side having just experienced two hard days with the seventeens, lasted a ball more and scored three more runs. The home side was now 104-3 after 32 overs. Rob Shergold took his first chance of the summer to make an impression, scoring a thirty-nine ball 22, and was out in the forty-fourth over with the score on 153. An unbroken Blundells partnership then took the side up to what was perhaps a below par 208 at the end of the fiftieth over. Captain for the day Smith hit a brisk unbeaten 32 off only seventeen balls and Williams passed his highest county score of 81 which he had scored against the London Schools in 2004. His fifty had come up in two minutes under the hundred off 92 balls but he needed 9 in the last over for a maiden century. Smith had run him ragged and he was looking decidedly tired, having batted through the innings. He scored 2, 4 and then took a single to take him up to 96. Smith ensured his partner would face the last ball. Williams forearm smashed it back to the bowler, it had four written all over it when Smith got in its path, the ball struck his arm at real pace and sadly realised only a single. Some friend Sam Smith, but fortunately his injury was not serious. The visitors included a member of a great cricketing dynasty – Tom Edrich.

 When the visitors batted Adam Dibble bowled a maiden and his opening bowler partner Chris Metters took a wicket with his second legitimate ball when he bowled Malder. The second wicket pair of thirteen year old Patel and captain Soni had put on 41 off 79 balls in 49 minutes when under 15 Alex Carr took his first wicket when he had Patel caught by his own age group captain, Matt Hickey, with his ninth delivery. It was 56-3 after twenty-two overs when Jack Dent, on his county debut, bowled the second Patel. Thirty-three were added for the fourth pairing when Dibble extracted some of his trademark - bounce and took the key wicket of Soni - caught and bowled for 52. Twenty nine overs and Haberdashers were scoring at 3.10 an over with the required rate being 4.16. The weather was becoming even more depressing and rain looked a certainty as Haberdashers progressed to 113-4 after 39 (2.89). The heavens opened and Devon won on a faster run rate 4.16 against 2.90 runs an over. The fact that any cricket was played at all was a tribute to Phil Spong, who deservedly was awarded a national ECB OSCA in October, and his team of helpers at Axminster, it was a minor miracle in this awful summer and one that they would repeat again and again. Smith performed competently as captain for the day and the team had responded well after the initial disappointing defeat against Wales.

Devon youth cricket returned to the Recreation Ground, Torquay after far too long an absence, this indeed being the first ever game at 16/17 or 21s and the club went out of their way to make the Board more than welcome. This match with Worcestershire was another close encounter, indeed very similar to the game the previous year at Bromsgrove where a late flourish with the bat had ensured Devon a win. Luke Bess won the toss, on a ground that the week before had been under water, the amount of work that the Torquay members must have undertaken to ensure the game was possible was remarkable. Traffic problems at Harbertonford did not help the peace of mind of the manager, scorer or our Plymouth based all-rounder as it compounded the difficulties created by the under 17 Buckinghamshire away game the preceding three days. So fresh from a this close game at Marlow and the subsequent late night, the tired openers Luke Bess and James Burke had both scored 5 when the captain was leg before and one run later, as he had two days earlier, Burke flashed and was caught at slip. The Heathcoat pair of Williams and Smith put on 32 with both looking reasonably comfortable when Williams gave a tame catch to Flower at slip. Now having batted seven minutes under the hour and having faced twelve overs Devon was now in some trouble with the scoreboard reading 43-3. The home side would now look to their middle order to build up the required 220 plus score. With Matt Thompson giving his full support, Smith started to unleash some real power play taking a liking to the shorter rugby stand boundary and in particular the bowling of his name sake with two big sixes in an over. However, having scored 33 of the partnership of 39, he again disappointed his many admirers when he should have already appreciated that he was unable to clear the longer pavilion boundary. On his second attempt he put the ball down the throat of Cheshire, now positioned for the job, three short of his 50 and 53 short of that increasingly illusive ton which he must achieve if he is to fulfil his immense potential. Thompson and Chris Metters then put on the day’s best stand of 86 and it was only broken by a piece of misfortune for the home ground’s keeper, Thompson, who was playing in front of a surprisingly large and vocal fan base for a youth game. The pair was well on top with the tempo increasing steadily and the game plan was that they would tee off in the last ten. Disaster struck in the first over of the last ten when Metters struck the ball back to the bowler who got a hand on it to find Thompson out of his ground. He had batted for 86 minutes facing 93 balls to be run out one short of a very deserved fifty. Metters talent was now blossoming for the first time in 2007 and he was looking a very fine batsman. With Stephenson, who was also run out, Gilmour caught on the charge, Evenden trapped in front and Shergold bowled, he took the score up to 211 in the penultimate over. Enter I should be batting higher Dibble and there was carnage for ten balls as the pair put on 23. Dibble just opened up his front leg and smote – remarkable hitting. In bright sunshine these six minutes were without doubt the cameo moment of the summer. The final product had ensured that Devon, providing they fielded well, were in with a reasonable shout. Metters was undefeated on 45 having faced 61 balls in an outstanding 103 minute stay at the crease. Adam Dibble, whose impact as bowler, fielder, cricketer and person in 2007 was striking, will have to reflect over the winter on what batting role he wishes to take in the side, as this innings indicated immense potential, which unfortunately was not repeated in his other five county visits to the crease. His value to the side is however colossal.

A lengthy but splendid tea resulted in Devon having three hours to bowl their 50 overs before the agreed cut off time of 8.00pm was reached. In view of their previous over rates this was likely to be a big ask. Worcestershire opened with two of the better batters seen in 2007 and they rushed to 70 off only 13 overs, well ahead of the required rate. James Burke, had originally been included in the side purely as a batsman as he was in the middle of a hectic period of cricket but Bess consulted him and he immediately agreed to have a bowl. He made an immediate impact as the bat was beaten regularly for the first time in the innings. Burke bowled Flower with his eighth ball and then took out the real danger man, left hander The Bat (as the highly rated Worcestershire opener Cheshire is known), when Stephenson failed to hold a sharp chance at second slip only for the amazingly alert Tom Cross to hold the rebound at first. It all looked very simply but the reflexes of the Civil Service man were truly exceptional. Cheshire was the only batsman in a relatively high scoring game to reach 50 and in his case it had been fifty and out. Having looked on the back foot, Devon was now getting back into the game. Burke made it 3-26 when, in the same and his sixth over, he trapped Powell in front - 102-3. Nelson again struck when the returning Dibble bowled Mullett. Worcestershire advanced their score to 179 with some careful batting by their captain Banks and keeper Butler. Bess was pulling the strings to good effect and Cross was supplying a controlled spell of off spin but the batters were looking increasingly comfortable. The run rate required at the fortieth over had now gone up to 5.6 but the visitors still had half their side available to bat. It was time to break the partnership and it was a most unusual caught behind that did the trick. Leg spinner Mark Gilmour was now on at the score box end and he found the edge of Butler’s bat and a juggle plus astute use of a stump provided Thompson with the vital catch. For the final ten overs the side was marshalled superbly by the captain, who also put in another important spell of bowling. The keeper, Matt Thompson, was also having a memorable game and he could not put a foot or hand wrong. Devon now reached heights in the field not previously achieved this summer. Worcestershire’s Smith lasted five balls, Thompson dived wide to his right and held a stunning catch a millimetre off the ground off the bowling of his captain.  Metters and Thompson ran out Riddle with the visitors on 202-7 and having 37 balls left to score the 33 runs required. In fact it only took another ten deliveries to wind up proceedings.  Banks was run out for 47, when, with both batsmen heading to his end, Thompson threw to bowler Bess. Burke was too good for Robinson who was bowled and then the alert Smith out-sprinted Whitecross in a race to the bowler’s end stumps and it was all over. The final ten overs had been magnificent in the field and the side had set their standards for the remainder of the summer and 2008. One standard, that has to be improved for next summer, is the over rate as the bowlers were in overdrive at the end of the game to get their allocation in by 8.00pm. The game finally finished at 7.55pm in a temperature more like autumn as opposed to mid-summer. This game had produced so many pluses. The middle order had fired on most cylinders and, apart from poor shot selection, bad luck and a shortage of overs, any one of four, five or six could have gone on to make the big score needed to win matches, Dibble's onslaught was extraordinary. In the field Burke, for the second successive day, had turned the game with his bowling (4-33 off 7.4 overs), Bess set a fine example in the field and led his troops well, the ground fielding approached the standards sought (although a couple of half chances were not even attempted) and Thompson put on a faultless performance behind the stumps. This performance gave a clear indication of the quality cricket this team has the ability to reach and boded well for the future.

Unusually, but for the sake of fairness to the players, we will get the excuses out of the way first for a not too impressive performance against the Isle of Wight at Axminster.  Three of the side had just experienced sixty hard hours on the road (500 miles), having just played in an intensive top of the table clash with Essex; two key members of the squad were also rested; the fifteens (another three players) had been involved in a last ball thriller the night before at Exmouth and with it the excitement of getting through to the national finals so perhaps Friday August 10th 2007 was one of the better days to catch the sixteen’s. Having written that, the Isle of Wight put on an outstanding performance of confidence and unity and ran the home side very close in a game decided in the last over with only ten runs separating the teams. Their performance should have been a clear indicator that they should be taken as serious contenders for their own festival later in month. A Festival they did in fact win, they being ultimately one point better off than ourselves. We were now being spoilt as, for the second game, the sun was shining and this time on entering Cloakham Lawn, with our host’s fine new ground looking pristine, confidence was high. For the first time in the season there were no traffic delays for players or management. With the fifteens now definitely out of contention for the Festival, at last the pressure could be taken off the players as the make up of the Isle of Wight squad was finalised before the game. It was particularly good to watch Rob Shergold relax and he went on to subsequently play with much greater freedom. Luke Bess won the toss and within three balls Devon were 0-2 as exaggerated inswing took out two important batsmen, who over the previous two days had faced 257 balls in scoring 152 runs. It was indeed not a promising start but it got worse at 9-3 with the opening bowler, Gordon, picking up his third wicket in removing another important scalp - Matt Thompson. Fortunately Chris Metters and Shane Evenden put on the highest partnership of the game and, as it transpired, the second best partnership of the summer,  taking their side up to 97 when Evenden was caught off last year’s tormentor, Franklin, for an enterprising 43. He had batted for just 56 minutes facing 49 balls. The under 15s Matt Hickey and Will Gater helped Metters take the score up to 152, Hickey went looking for a big shot and Gater completing a personal double at Axminster by walking past another one to be stumped. Shergold, now free of the pressure of selection, revealed what an asset he was to prove to be on the Island by putting on a further 63 with Metters. The South Devon all rounder was now past 50 (88 balls and minutes) and confirming he was one of the side’s key batsmen. At a now more comfortable 215 with twenty balls left Metters missed a straight one on 98!!! He claimed it had been the best ball of the innings, but he would do wouldn’t he? He had been superb and really did deserve to be the season’s first centurion at any of the three age groups this summer. However he was the third player in two days not to reach this major personal milestone, which, as it turned out, was not reached by a single batsman at any of the three levels for the first time since 2002. Metters’ performance had shown great maturity, he had batted 157 minutes and had faced 142 balls, he hit 13 fours and 2 sixes, one over the pavilion – this was to be the highest individual score for the three sides in 2007 – truly outstanding. Shergold was still playing a key role as he watched Cross, in what was to be his last county match of the season, follow Gater’s example and Dent start to block the final over! Fortunately Shergold managed to get down to the business end and thump a six and he went in to a very deserved ovation, undefeated on 36. Extras had contributed 32 and Devon was exceedingly relieved to reach 238-8.

 The Isle of Wight openers entered the fray with real confidence and genuine self belief, a new trait for this cricket fanatical island.  They put on 36 in eight overs when Thompson again dived full length to take another fine, spectacular catch, this time off Evenden. In strode Mitchell, well strode is a slight exaggeration as he needed Hatt to remain at the wicket to run for him, and our coach offered the profound statement that a runner should provide mayhem. I am afraid wrong again Jack as eighty-five were added without any difficulty for the second wicket, which was most disconcerting as Luke Bess rang the changes. At the halfway stage the Island was very comfortably placed at 120-1, with the home side not helping their own chances by dropping six reasonable chances. That dark day at Exmouth in 2003 came firmly back into clear focus, this was the time when the Island inflicted their one victory at this level. Fortunately one run later Tom Cross trapped the excellent Barton in front, five short of his own personal fifty and, importantly, six runs later the second key wicket was taken with Metters now demonstrating his left arm spin, now a necessity following the loss of Tom Cross to Scotland. The splendid Mitchell, who had been hitting superbly through the ball went after him, only to find the safe but large hands of Big Dave at long on, a vital and not easy catch by Evenden. At 131 for the second time in a week, Thompson chose the right end to throw to and hands that the keeper himself would have been proud of did the business at the bowlers end - Tom Cross was a huge and unexpected loss for the Festival. He is a real team player, has outstanding hands, is brilliant in the field and a bowler who gives his captain control. The Navy’s gain was our gigantic loss. The tide had turned, nine runs later Cross bowled Lewis, fifty-one runs were added for the sixth wicket but the overs were now ticking away. Captain and keeper Woodhouse also made the half century, as Metters returned the compliment to Evenden. It was now just a matter of nerve, at 202 Bess gave Evenden his third wicket and Dent took his first when he knocked back Gordon’s centre stump to the pleasure of Bess, Smith and Thompson whom he had sorted in the first session. Dent bowled well in his ten overs going for 3.7 and Carr bowled the critical forty-ninth over conceding just three. Nineteen were required off the last over and eight runs were taken. Counting chickens etc had come into the mind but, as Jack Porter so rightly summed up, the side had done exceptionally well to get back into the game on more than one occasion. Not for the first time he then somehow contrived to ensure that his team won the football.

Thanks to a very sporting initiative from our opponents, Somerset, the proposed two day game with them came to a premature but not unexpected end at 6.21pm on the first day, twenty-one minutes after the designated closure. The predicted storm force winds and two inches of rain duly arrived overnight, resulting in an early cancellation of the second day’s play and, at least from the home side’s point of view, a satisfactory result was achieved with the first innings spoils being taken. The storm had been so severe that on the morning of the designated second day Axminister’s new ground was partially flooded. Following the unacceptable loss of his lucky two pound coin Luke Bess returned to his true form, lost the toss and Somerset batted first. James Burke was an early casualty with a knotted side strain and, with other games of more importance on the near horizon, he was rapidly dispatched home. His subsequent visit to his physio and the ensuing, encouraging report lightened the day with respect to the seventeen’s impending title decider. During the course of the day’s play two and a half of his colleagues did actually fall by the wayside. It was good to see the half, Mark Gilmour, turn up at the ground just before lunch to encourage his Isle of Wight colleagues. They all totally disbelieved his exaggerated tale about coming off a bike at 50mph and hitting a wall! The consensus was that he had probably just tripped over a step but most certainly his looks had been improved by all the cuts and bruises! Actually his trek up to Axminster had been much appreciated by his team mates. Adam Dibble opened the bowling from the pavilion end to be confronted by Somerset’s latest under 15 international, Hugh Thomas, and fellow opening bowler, Eggbear. Dibble embarked on one of his more expensive spells as nine of his twelve overs in the day were maidens and he conceded five runs off just three of his seventy-two deliveries! Shane Evenden took over from the injured Burke but it was the Sidmouth seamer who broke the opening partnership on 16 when he trapped Eggbear on the back foot with one that kept low. After another ten runs the international was on his way back well held by the diving Thompson off Evenden. A run later Sam Smith held a neat catch at second slip two handed above his head to give Shane his second wicket. The fourth wicket pairing of Davis and the talented Spurway, whose brother was surprisingly released at the end of the summer, put on a vital 67 runs taking their side up to lunch. The Exeter City left arm spinner Chris Metters had now commenced a twenty-five over spell which was only interrupted by lunch. It had been overheard at lunch that his talents were limited to darts and he would soon be sorted! His final figures of 6-36 were the fifth best return in Devon under 16 history and rather tell a different story! His first six overs were maidens and after another four he had conceded less than a run an over. With the third ball after lunch Metters took out the opposition’s main man, Spurway, whom he bowled around his legs and with a delivery that most certainly was not a dart. Three runs later Evenden dived full length (about 6’6”) to catch Davis an inch off the ground at slip, another marvellous catch in this summer of memorable ones. On the same score Metters bowled Walker. At this stage his figures were then 3-13 off fourteen. His fields became increasingly more attacking, Smith looking a natural bat pad, and at 108 Evenden took his second slip catch off the South Devon spinner.  The Axminster computer now confirmed the weather forecast for the second day to be truly typical of 2007. Metters fifth wicket came in the fifty-eighth over and his twentieth when he bowled keeper Barnes. In his twenty-third over he trapped Carpenter on the full in front. Metters, obviously aware that a seventh wicket would take him into uncharted areas in the record books and Devon’s Hall of Fame (something that it is hoped will find a permanent place at the new Centre of Excellence) then bungled a simple run out! Suddenly and somewhat surprisingly the ball started to end up in unfilled gaps in the field and it became obvious, as his overs started to run out, that it was not to be his destiny to take the highest number of wickets in an innings on that day. This was hugely disappointing as he had bowled an inspired spell but he had given a clear indication as to what an asset his slow bowling had become. Up until Cross’s inability to attend the Festival he had been looked upon as a fine batter who also bowled some left arm over. In fact he is a very high performing all-rounder, who would have been a regular with the seventeen’s had his slow bowling talents been fully appreciated earlier and he would also have filled a void at twenty-ones in 2007, the fact he did not play was a commitment with his football club and an inability to get up to South Wiltshire. It is anticipated he will play a full part next summer. His season’s return of 20 wickets at 13.50, an economy rate of 2.57 and an ability to bowl an over in less than a minute made him a vital ingredient in the bowling attack for the rest of the summer. Equally importantly he will be an appetising extra in the two day game in 2008 with both bat and ball. He had been well supported at the pavilion end by Dent, Williams, Carr and Shergold. Evenden took over at the town end and first ball found the Stuckes’ edge and Thompson had one of his easier chances. Cornish, who had put up good resistance batting eleven minutes over the hour, was his side’s top scorer  with 33. Somerset was all out in their seventieth over for 151. The over rate of nearly 22 was excellent as was the fact that nearly fifty percent of the overs bowled had been maidens. Not so encouraging was the fact that the 28 extras were the third highest score. With anticipated adverse weather the next day, the side had thirty-two overs to take a moral victory out of the game and score at just under four an over. Luke Bess and Justin Williams navigated their team to tea scoring 24-0 off nine when the idea was generously floated by our opponents that, in view of the fact that it was highly unlikely the game would enter the second day, we should be given the chance of surpassing their total by delaying the close of play. This most generous proposal was accepted with real thanks.  Without adding to the score, the captain immediately departed when he gave Spurway the first of his three catches – two were out of the top drawer. Williams and Harry Stephenson enhanced their reputations by doubling their side’s total when both succumbed to the left hand chinaman, Linott, in an identical manner - leg before. This was frustrating as the two batsmen had both appeared well set. Smith and Metters then took the game away from their opponents with a partnership of 69 off 90 balls. Chris Metters broke his successful run with the bat when he thought he had struck the ball past Spurway only to find that he had not, to his obvious irritation, as the fielder took another spectacular catch. Evenden lasted only nine balls before giving the easiest of Spurway’s three catches. It was now a question of whether Smith could achieve a personal milestone but he ended up undefeated on 49 off 40 balls. This was to be Smith’s highest score of the summer at sixteens and, with the pressure of keeping and batting at four relieved by Thompson’s presence in the side, all were disappointed with his final season’s average of 21. This is not an adequate return from this important position in the side. Next summer will be an important one for this most agreeable of young men, as he has now to produce the goods that his inbred talent deserves. Rob Shergold continued to impress with the bat and the football could commence. Devon had achieved their target with the help of an additional ten overs on top of the normal day’s quota – 112. With Jack Porter en route to Durham to ensure another year at the Cathedral City, Andrew Buzza had filled his shoes most competently but should perhaps learn to chose the moment and use more subtlety to make his views known on the ability of our opponents, who had, graciously, ensured that the game had been a worthwhile venture. This had been a particularly useful get together as the week away together on the Island was just a few days away.

This Festival provides a number of huge benefits one of the biggest is that batting on a typical damp island pitch can be very testing and over the years has most certainly sorted the men from the boys! There are many advantages in watching a player’s technique on some of their non batsman friendly pitches. The weeks building up to the Festival had resulted in some heavy rainfall with some of our venues having been under water. This would guarantee to provide some taxing opportunities. The trip to the Island was uneventful, despite a bladder problem which was intensified by an unscheduled train and an occupied industrial estate! This experience was followed by a successful new detour, through a housing estate in Newport, to avoid the annual traffic problems at the Garlic Festival to find our new base at Sandown. We approached The Inglewood with some apprehension as, although a recce had been made the previous October, there were some concerns as to how our hosts would respond to us and we had reservations about the parking. The Leahy family made us feel immediately at home, the roast pork and banana split was a success and fortunately the pier was not found until Monday night! An evening of drizzle included some pitch and put and, in spite of an armed guard for that lost race horse Shergold, the side, with the exception of the leg spinner, was all back at base before curfew – a record. The drizzle got harder but there was no doubt that play would take place when the side arrived at Ryde the next morning. The golden rule for success at this festival is to win the first game, to keep winning and to pick up as many bonus points as possible. Otherwise if you lose your first game it tends to be catch up for the remaining four days and that is unfortunately precisely what happened as Devon fell one point short on Friday having only lost on the first day to Buckinghamshire.

The covers and water hogs of the previous year were obviously a one year wonder as the track bore a decidedly sodden appearance having, according to the neutral local umpire, been underwater the night before. The toss would prove to be vital. In Luke Bess the side has an excellent captain who perceptibly developed over the summer. He does, however, have one major long term weakness – he cannot win the toss. Unsuccessful efforts were made throughout the week to try and change this unfortunate trait but Bucks called correctly, we were inserted and were immediately up against it. This would be the side’s first real test on an old fashioned sticky. It really is very easy to make statements about pitches that are not up to Test or Exmouth standard and games played against sides perceived not to be as strong as some but all this attitude really demonstrates is a lack of appreciation of what cricket is really all about – playing on diverse surfaces against sides of differing abilities. It was therefore essential that there were no comments with regard to the state of the pitch and that the Devon batters applied themselves on what was to be a difficult surface. Overall they did well but the final score of 147-6 off fifty was perhaps thirty short, particularly when the sun started to shine and the outfield speeded up later in the day. Bess and James Burke put on 62 in 86 minutes when, one over into the second half of the innings, Bess was stumped trying to increase the tempo. Burke and Matt Thompson missed predicted score time, muffins, doughnuts and ice creams from nearby Tesco as they put on a further 36 in 79 balls but then Burke was caught for a top score of 39 (131 minutes; 125 balls). At 98-2 with 65 balls remaining discussions centred on how the innings should be accelerated. Dibble’s performance against Worcestershire earned him the nod but both he and Sam Smith, a star performer at this skill the previous summer, were both soon back in the basement dressing room. Matt Thompson now had to give the strike to Chris Metters, who was timing the ball better than anyone. Thompson decided to take on the Buckinghamshire attack and was fifth out in the forty-eighth over leaving Chris Metters, Mark Gilmour and Shane Evenden to take Devon up to its final total. One area that this group was unable to master all summer was the skill of picking up the ones and turning ones into twos. Had this expertise been exercised at Ryde and on other occasions during the summer, it would have eased some of the self inflicted pressure. It is something that must be improved in 2008 if the big scores are to be achieved. Buckinghamshire had beaten us on the same ground in 2006 chasing 191, getting there with a ball to spare but had come second to Devon in the two day LV under 17 game earlier in the summer at Marlow. In 2006 they had won the Festival and, with four players playing from their successful squad, they most certainly fancied their chances. Good sides take early wickets and Dibble took one in his third over when Gilmour caught Suter for 2. Suter had his pads on at Marlow for longer than the 16 minutes he batted at Ryde. This vital game was taken away from Devon by a 75 run partnership in 73 minutes although it did take up 142 balls. In the twenty-eighth over the Bucks captain Richards became Gilmour’s second victim, this time off the Plymouth Civil Service left armer Jack Dent. Importantly for Bucks their opener Walker, who had scored over half the runs in the partnership, was beginning to bat with some freedom lofting the ball through mid wicket. The left hander, who was to score freely all week, had not previously proved to be a thorn in Devon’s side but he batted on for 154 minutes to be undefeated on a match winning 81. At 134 Shane Evenden had Webster caught at long on by Burke but that was the final wicket as the target was reached with seven wickets and 19 balls remaining.  At least Devon had salvaged the bonus point. All day James Burke had been eyeing up a tractor at the far end of the ground. He felt he could hit it on the full from the pavilion. The coach unwisely let his own ego have its way and a full blown throwing competition formed part of the cool down. Burke threw over the tractor; Dibble was a reasonable second and the coach third amongst the 5 foot twos. The pier was found and, despite the disappointment of the result and the laptop cable failing and therefore no statistics for the week, it had been a reasonable first day of our twelfth visit to the Island.

With Bangalore withdrawing from the festival at the eleventh hour once again the Isle of Wight Cricket Board came to the rescue by putting out a second side at short notice. Devon therefore returned to play them at the Northwood ground, where they had played twice in 2006 with real success, and they were confronted by a day when the temperature was more suited to the Artic than this allegedly sun kissed island - August bringing hoodies and fleeces back into favour. The Island side, which included some over age players who had played earlier in the season against the twenty-ones at Exmouth, won the toss and invited Devon to bat. Justin Williams, who scored his highest county score against the Island at Axminster, opened with James Burke and the pair had put on 33 at five an over, when Payne found Williams leading edge to be caught at mid on. Off his two scoring shots Harry Stephenson had scored 7, which was over half of the second wicket partnership of 13, when he was bowled in the ninth over again by Payne. The camera had been in full use up until then to catch some action and both wickets had been shot so it was put away quickly! Robert Shergold joined James Burke and the pair put on 79 in eight minutes over the hour, more than doubling the best third wicket partnership of the summer.  Payne then took his third wicket when he had Burke caught by Parker for his first under 16 fifty of the season. He hit six fours and batted for one hundred and two minutes. Utilising with great effect the remaining 21 overs, Devon doubled its total to reach a more than acceptable 250. Shergold and Luke Bess had put on 35 off 38 balls when Bess was caught by Parker, his third catch, to give Hose his first of his four wickets and Sam Smith’s disappointing spell with the bat continued as he was caught by Burbidge. Fortunately Rob Shergold took the lead role and completed an important personal milestone, his maiden county fifty. He was sixth out at 177 for an excellent 64, he had hit five fours and two sixes facing 93 balls and three runs later Shane Evenden was also caught. Chris Metters and Mark Gilmour then put on an undefeated 70 for the eighth wicket, the best of the summer but it would have been more if the pair had utilised more of the last few overs, eleven of the last eighteen balls were not scored off, and it should have been a matter of taking the ones rather than trying to clear the fence, which they did so unsuccessfully.

The Island made no effort to chase at five an over so it was an important element that Devon secured the bonus point. Bess rang the changes opening with Evenden and Carr but it was first change Rob Shergold who was cashing in on his luck from Sunday with a first county wicket to add to his maiden fifty. He trapped Burbidge in front in the seventeenth over with the score on 36 and one run later Burke held his first slip catch of the week off Gilmour. Burke’s fielding at slip throughout the festival was outstanding and he more than made up for the enforced loss of the side’s previous specialist, Tom Cross. Twenty-five runs were added off 47 balls for the third wicket when Gilmour gave Metters his first wicket of the innings, one run later Burke again did the business as South Devon’s left arm spinner took his second. Five runs later and now 33 overs in to the home side’s innings Hose gave Smith another outfield catch and Metters his third wicket. Chris Metters now advanced to his second five for of the season when he bowled Parker at 74 and Carr caught Summers on 76. This was the final wicket to fall as Calloway and Andrews batted another 30 minutes, facing 71 balls and putting on an undefeated 37. This was a disappointing end to another very successful performance. However Devon had secured the full five points and were back on track. The cool down included high catches which culminated with three one handers. Adam Dibble did the double as he cleaned up on the catching and having won earlier the predicted score perhaps he should complete the  toss the next day! Towel of the day went to Rob Shergold.

Having been rained off for the last three previous Wednesday’s at GKN it was a pleasure to travel to Ventnor on one of the better days of the 2007 summer. The opposition’s umpire outlined what he was hoping for in long discussions with players and management, the two sides warm ups were totally different in nature and Plan Z was implemented - Adam Dibble would toss. For the second and final time in 2007 Devon would actually have the option of batting or fielding as Suffolk called incorrectly. The day’s keeper, Matt Thompson, checked his mother had received his text, wishing her a Happy Birthday (a text!), however he later delivered a personal card (chivalry is evidently not dead) and Devon batted and would seek 250 on the covered and hard track. After twenty overs Luke Bess and James Burke had put on a season’s best 81 and looked in no trouble. In the next over Bess went after the spinner Catman and was caught one run short of his under 16s 2007 season’s best. Burke and Matt Thompson then put together the highest second wicket stand of the year - 51 in 81 balls - when the keeper thought he should deliver the card personally, his mother had wished he had not bothered! Burke was in such command that at last it seemed that 2007 was to produce a centurion but alas poor James, he called a run and came a clear second at the bowler’s end twelve short. He had struck 15 fours and batted eight minutes over two hours. A further three minutes saw Sam Smith trapped in front and 81-0 had become 159-4 with 60 balls left and Devon in need of an urgent injection. Metters, Gilmour and Evenden nearly went at a run a ball but the inability to rotate resulted in 29 of the balls being dots. Shane Evenden had a good last over - 15 - otherwise it would have been even worse. The undefeated 32 put on by Gilmour and Evenden for the sixth wicket was another season’s best. A par score at Ventnor is around 230 so we were again a little light.

It was a typically enjoyable Ventnor lunch, which included spotted dick and custard, but the first course would not have gone down well with a certain Barton batsman. This set up Devon for another good performance in the field. Smith and Evenden combined for fantasy points to run out opener Staigg at 19. The score advanced to 35 when Evenden added to his points with a leg before and eight runs later had James caught by the captain. It was then left to the spinners to bowl out Suffolk but not before Burke chased from slip to third man to run out the opposition’s captain. Gilmour’s return was his best of the summer with another slip catch to Burke, a bowled and Thompson took the last two, a stumping, the first at this level in 2007 and a catch to revive memories of his fine performance at the ground the previous year. Gilmour’s figures were 6.1-4-15-4. Metters also played his part taking two more to add to his season’s total, first a catch from Justin Williams and then he knocked over Hinslewood’s stumps. After 30 overs in the sun Devon had won by 139 and gained five points. Suffolk’s total was, up until the festival Friday, the third lowest score conceded at this age group.  Burke’s unselfishness in running himself out when well set won him the towel of the day and it was sharp slaz ball catching in the cool down with the coach and Thompson the final two, Porter really stood no chance! Adam Dibble’s terrific summer continued as he had learnt during the course of the day that he had gained a place on the Somerset Academy, everything he touches at present...The Bourne Ultimatum film proved one of the better choices of recent years and although action packed, it did not take too long to explain what had taken place to the snoring Evenden.

There was further overnight rain so shower proofs were now added to the hoodies and fleeces as we travelled to Newport for the first time since 2002 when Nick Watkin’s side had beaten Essex. As this was Results Thursday mobiles were in early use, Smith saved the manager a fiver with his A*s but it was fortunate that Hickey had been left on the mainland to lead the fifteens as it was later learnt that he had straight A*s! Hertfordshire was the second side this week that we would be playing in the two day competition in 2008, they won the toss and batted. A brave decision as it is likely that some of their batters might have been of a similar mind to some of our own in not taking an instant liking to another green one. Both sides would benefit from reading Clive Radley's article in the October CricketerWisden - Winning on wet ones. Again a reasonably early wicket but this time not the result of a break though from the opening attack but a run out. After thirty-three had been put on in sixteen overs, the captain turned to his spinners, Gilmour and Metters. Having failed with the coin, Dibble then demonstrated what an asset he is as a scout with a truly exceptional arm. He has yet to learn to hide it until it really matters but this one really mattered and he beat Chatfield’s attempt at a second run from the longest boundary on the island and, with the help of Smith’s fast hands, the batsman was on his way back to the pavilion. The two spinners were outstanding as they bowled 30 overs in tandem conceding less than two and a half an over and taking three wickets fully turning the screw. Bess took a sharp catch under the helmet but then took a battering. His sense eventually overcame his bravery as he removed himself to the inner ring to an ironic round of applause from the opposition. He later decided that he would, in future, restrict the use of his helmet purely to his batting! Jack Dent took another neat catch; Gilmour won a leg before with his alternative delivery and after 40 overs Devon was in total control of the game with Hertfordshire on 98-4. However Small and Southgate were disproving any adverse thoughts about the green track and took the score up to 124 with six overs left. Sam Smith then entered the stumpings column with a neat one off Alex Carr, the opposition’s captain, Small, departing in a very disappointed manner as he was leaving 35 balls to others. He need not have worried as Southgate and Ray put on a shattering 49. There were unhappy memories of the under 15s final over against Warwickshire’s at Sandford in 2006 as this one went for 11. The side should have been and were extremely disappointed with the final product of 173 but Hertfordshire had clearly demonstrated the importance and value of being able to finish an innings. Devon having manfully looked after the scoreboard all afternoon there was a minor furore when the opposition’s coach decided it was not up to his high standard and took over for a ball!

It was hoped that the openers would now beat their previous best partnership of the summer but fifteen balls into the innings Devon was really up against it at 3-2, Bess was caught off the impressive but over confident Lidgett and Burke was caught at slip again. It was now critical that Devon regrouped which they did, as Thompson and Metters proceeded to put on the highest partnership of the summer – 132. They complemented each other perfectly batting for nearly 40 overs and for two hours ten minutes. The highest ever third wicket partnership of 174 had been set the previous summer by James Fletcher and Robbie Debenham at nearby Northwood and therefore this particular record was always out of their reach. This would be the fifth best ever but will be remembered for the guts and character displayed. The real question was would this one be good enough to win this vital game.  At forty-two overs with the score on 133 the batters were faced with a major quandary. They had done the hard work but they were now confronted with a target of scoring forty runs off forty-eight legitimate deliveries (5 an over) with large boundaries, a defensive field, an existing overall match scoring rate of 3.33 an over, actual boundaries at a premium and the confident Herts opening bowler, Lidgett, back in the attack to bowl through. Two runs were added when critically Chris Metters was out caught off Lidgett. It was important as Chris was very well set, past his fifty and his versatility with the bat should have ensured that, if he batted through, the target would be met. He had demonstrated throughout the summer that he will have a vital role to play in Devon cricket for a number of years to come. His tally of six fours equalled the highest number of boundaries in the game. Thompson should then have batted through to the end, but four runs later, after facing 104 balls and being at the crease for over two and a half hours, he was bowled five short of a very deserved fifty. This summer he has played a vital batting role and hopefully next summer but certainly in future years, when it is anticipated he will gain a little more strength to match his current growth spurt, his batting will then be even more central to Devon Youth Cricket. Importantly Devon now had two new batters at the crease on a wicket that needed some acclimatisation. Smith decided to charge and sweep creating blood pressure problems on the rope, he lasted twelve charges and was bowled it was now 146-5 with thirty-three balls to score twenty-eight with five wickets remaining – in a normal situation a cake walk but in the current conditions it was very very tight. It got worse Shane Evenden was bowled at 153, Stephenson and Gilmour took the score up to 165 in the forty-seventh over, Gilmour hit a very rare but vital commodity, a four, before being stumped, Dibble lasted four balls - 165- 8 the last over was about to be bowled, Lidgett (4-32 and under 3 an over) to bowl it, eight to tie, nine to win. Rob Shergold, in what must have been to date his most nerve racking moment in his short county career, was on strike took a single, Stephenson faced a dot ball, eight runs were now needed off four balls, the players were told to lose graciously and to await a huge cheer from a large Hertfordshire travelling army. Lidgett bowled a low full toss and Stephenson played the shot of the season as he despatched it head high over the square leg boundary, the noise erupted from an unexpected part of the ground. Next ball was another dot ball and then the hero Stephenson was caught trying to win the game. He had demonstrated how to finish an innings by pushing and running and his ten off ten had been fantastic. Just before batting he had been involved in a slight confrontation over a disputed two or four so we now knew how to fire him up. The batsman had crossed so Shergold was now on strike with slightly stained brown and white trousers, Jack Dent at the non strikers end our last batsman. Two or three needed, last ball of a very tight game of cricket. Shergold then played the second best shot of the season as he stroked a classical four that beat the one stopping field, now the noise really did erupt. Every year the importance of the TEAM is emphasized and how unsung heroes often turn games with a blinding catch or wonderful run out, today two important unsung team players, Stephenson and Shergold, won the best and most exciting game of the season. Towels were shared by Barry Stephenson and Chris Metters. What a game but only four points as Hertfordshire picked up the bonus point, at the time this was the least relevant piece of information but it did turn out to be crucial. To their eternal credit Hertfordshire lost very graciously and promised to do their best the next day when they were playing Buckinghamshire, which they subsequently most certainly did. A sad goodbye to Thommo and real hopes that his team would beat Cheshire and advance to the final. Unfortunately this was not to be as they lost both their games at Oundle. It was time for another closely contested game of football. The Fighting Cocks provided the right environment for the end of season meal, the coach stood in for the now silent manager completely laid down by the Whittle bug and Bess continued to pick up brownie points, being very eloquent. The Best of the West basket was a most original idea and one that was very much enjoyed over the winter.

We did not take the Festival shield home on the last day, that went to worthy winners, the Isle of Wight. In November it is more of a disappointment than it was in August for without doubt we were not just on paper, but actually in performance, the best side on the Island and the title was lost by only one point. Being pedantic we were also 15 wickets short, as the Isle of Wight first team had bowled out their opposition on each day of the five festival days and Devon had only taken 35 wickets so had we taken the extra point the Festival would have ended in even greater disappointment, in reality we were two points short. The Inglewood had proved to be the ideal base and Teresa and Jeff Leahy outstanding hosts, providing everything the group could possibly need including the best ever laundry service. We left our rooms in a surprisingly good condition, perhaps the 2006 group was a one off!  With the uncertainty of whether the festival would be held in 2008 we were only able to make a tentative reservation for the next year. This problem was subsequently resolved when an invitation to attend in 2008 was received in October. We had never played at Porchfield but had in fact won the Festival there when all the games on the Island were rained off and we were crowned champions. This year we were greeted with a reasonable summer’s day, an enlarged pavilion and a group of eager club members making the final embellishments to a very attractive rural ground. With the earlier start and it being the last day of a five day festival, the warm up is normally geared to a very brief but active session to get minds alert and hands and legs moving. For the first time in fifteen years the coach met resistance. The players were left to do there own thing with a seething management team. The pre-match discussion centred on whether, if Peter Moores had been present, he would he have received a similar response, and the Elite Player Development Manager was name dropped and part of his address to the Regional Under 17 squads repeated. It really is not now about ability, which is taken as read, but behaviour and attitude and for the first time in the summer past ghosts had started to haunt – they will be exorcised before 2008. The side was now invited to demonstrate the right attitude. Oxfordshire batted first and were never really in contention. It was 20-5 after fourteen overs; James Burke had bowled Gross after nine balls but withdrew from the attack with a strain. Chris Metters had Samsone caught by Burke at slip, Dibble had their captain caught behind by Smith, Metters bowled Barker and Wood. Thoughts mistakenly entered the mind about how the extra time would be spent before the presentation. The sixth wicket put on the highest partnership of the innings taking the side up to 57 after twenty-eight overs. Metters took his fourth wicket when Gilmour held his first catch and was then removed from the attack to have overs available later if needed (a new game plan that cost him his third five wicket haul of the summer). Dent and Gilmour had bowled spells without any success from the top end so Dibble changed ends giving Dent his now regulation catch of the game, Smith made it two stumpings in the season, this one off a wide from Evenden, and Dibble cleaned up, first having the stubborn Smith (22 off 70) caught by Gilmour and then bowling Vaughan. Sixty-six all out off thirty-six overs has now entered the Devon records as the second lowest score against the sixteens.

A varied buffet lunch was enjoyed with a plentiful supply of doughnuts and Oxfordshire opened with a slow left armer, an attacking field and a lid. Williams found the lid second ball and Oxfordshire was confident. Burke and Bess had added twenty-nine in eleven overs when the captain was bowled and left the arena. It was disappointing that he did not bat through to win the game as this would have been a most fitting way to complete a most competent season as skipper. It was not to be as the side’s two leading batsmen, Burke and Metters, won the game with an undefeated stand of 38 off 59 balls. Ultimately it was appropriate that these two were at the crease at the end of the week as they were both in contention for the Player of the Week award. Burke had averaged 53 with the bat, had taken a wicket at 49, had held five fine catches and had been involved in a run out. Metters had averaged 46, had taken 12 wickets at 13 and the final decision was swayed by his key match winning innings against Hertfordshire.

It was surprising, in view of their response to the proposed warm up, that the football was approached with an enthusiasm that would have been more appropriate to the first day of the festival. Earlier concerns about how to spend the afternoon, should there have been an early finish, need not have entered the psyche. If the players had their way, floodlights would have been installed but we had a presentation to attend so the season had to end on a penalty shoot out. The coach has now requested proper goals for 2008 to avoid any contentious decisions; he is a bad loser but in fairness he had come second all week. At the presentation Hertfordshire’s Charles Stringer articulately voiced the views of the teams that had been visiting the Island for a number of years and he will be equally pleased that the festival will continue, albeit as a more expensive exercise in the future as grant aid might be reduced. The early ferry was taken; it was the first balmy summer’s evening of 2007 and the crossing evocative, making everyone appreciate what an awful summer it had been. McDonalds was safely reached and everyone was home earlier than anticipated. The week, the first for a number of years without a cancellation, had been a success, there is much to build on for 2008 with some important areas still to be improved, but the squad was together as a unit at the end of the week – so the main objective had been achieved.

In finally reviewing the season, the squad had one of the best ever bowling attacks at this level with real variety and, had we fully appreciated Chris Metters potential as a spinner, it is more than likely that he would have approached and possible surpassed David Court’s record haul in a season. Conversely we might also have put him into cotton wool as we did to the other bowlers who played for the seventeens. Because of the demands on bowlers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to play a full fixture list at both levels but in the case of Metters it might well have been possible. Those grave diggers, Burke and Dibble, are a formidable opening attack and performed to a very high standard on pitches that did not assist their pace and/or bounce. Shane Evenden, Jack Dent, Alex Carr and the captain gave good seam support. Tom Cross was a major loss not just for his cricketing ability but the effect his personality has on the side, however, in the shorter game, the two spinning all-rounders Gilmour and Metters covered any deficiencies. It is likely though that to get the required seventy-five overs he will hopefully be back in harness next summer. In Sam Smith and Matt Thompson we have two quality all rounders, although it is probable that in 2008 Smith, who had shown an initial reluctance to keep in 2007, will be given an opportunity of securing a top order spot, his out fielding remained spectacular when he was in the field. The fielding was acceptable, a very high number of slip catches were taken, probably the most in any one season but that research can wait until deepest winter. The side was athletic with some awe-inspiring out field catches. It is unusual not to have at least one player where the heart accelerates when the ball goes towards them in the air or on the ground. Devon averaged 28.28 runs per wicket as opposed to their opponents 21.18 and they scored at four runs an over against 3.30. However, no one scored a hundred, although Burke, Williams and Metters got close and no one scored over 350 runs. Only these three batters averaged over 30, this most certainly will not be good enough if promotion is to be achieved at Under 17s in 2008. The reassuring aspect is the others are good enough with Bess, Smith and Thompson having already scored runs at seventeens but next year centuries will be expected from the top order. Jack Dent, who made his county debut this summer, Rob Shergold, who had only made his the previous year, and Harry Stephenson, who was not available for some of the games, all completed important roles in the side and added to the ethos of the side, no one at Northwood will forget that all three were involved in the famous final over finale. Of the under 15s, we were fortunate that Alex Carr was available to play for us and to gain that essential experience, along with Matt Thompson, of what happens on the Island and to utilise his bowling and fielding skills to the side’s benefit. It was unfortunate that he was not invited to bat, hopefully he will get a reasonable opportunity to show his batting prowess in 2008. Thompson has already proved his pedigree and we very much appreciated his family making him available for the four days on the Island in an important week for his own age group. For the first time the under 15 captain did not travel to the festival but Matt Hickey made an excellent impression in the three games he did play. William Gater will be given another opportunity in 2008 to prove his undoubted natural ability.

Without doubt the important winter preparations for the squad were the least beneficial in sixteen seasons, with numbers as low as five on one occasion. The opportunity of imparting our aims, thoughts and plans was therefore lost and more careful planning has been made with regard to the dates for the sixteens workshops in 2008. A major disadvantage was that a constructive conversation could not be held with the captaincy team. Fortunately Luke Bess did not look back after a far too brief discussion at Axminster and proved to a very good leader, an astute tactician and most certainly the right choice. His deputy Sam Smith also played an important part but both will be expected to fulfil their full potential with the bat next summer. A look at the side’s cricket ratings will reveal that the decision of bowler, batsman and player of the year was not that difficult. Averaging over a hundred points a game, for the first time at this age group all three awards deservedly went to one player, Chris Metters. He topped both the batting and bowling averages and his exploits are clearly outlined in this report. Surprisingly he only took the one catch, at Axminster, so perhaps he should be concentrating on his fielding this winter.

In his second season Jack Porter again did remarkably well, particularly in ensuring our first visit to Sandown was such a success and that the required standards at this level both on and off the field of play were maintained. He continued to enhance his growing reputation as a fine coach and is a vital cog in the wheel. Jim Anning and his wife, Chris, were important members of the festival party, Jim increasing his growing standing as a top umpire. Chris’s medical skills this year were restricted to the voiceless manager. The scorer is greatly appreciated by everyone involved with the side. In a season when we were exceedingly fortunate to lose so little cricket, it is a tribute to our hosts Axminster and Torquay. Axminster somehow put on four nearly full days play. We were again well served by the DCUSS and their excellent umpires.