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The Under 16 2008 Season

Isle of Wight Champions

The 2008 Squad

M.Hickey (captain); M.Thompson (vice-captain); Z.Bess; A.Carr; J.Debenham; T.Field; F.Gabbitass; W.Gater; B.Huxtable; T.Ingham; S.Lewis; M.Lenygon; T.Mitcham; H.Parkin; P.Steer; R.Stevenson; L.Tuckett.

This was a strange summer, not helped by the worst weather experienced in seventeen summers. Equally disconcerting was that on more than one occasion, the demise of under 16 cricket in Devon appeared on the radar. For a county which has been at the forefront of retaining this age group since the withdrawal of funding in 1995 this was incredibly disappointing. Despite the grape vine, later in the year, getting into overtime about the return of an ECB endorsed under 16 competition, it eventually transpired that it would only be only on a regional basis and at the expense of the under 13s. Although it has to be accepted that the standard of the cricket played in 2008 was nowhere approaching the highs of yesteryear, however Devon have made a decision to preserve this age group. Having written that it must also be accepted that this year’s side performed well, in the most disjointed of summers, where the success of the fifteens robbed the selectors of potentially half the 2009 under 17 side.

The season started with a defeat at the hands of Haberdashers Aske School. It was however encouraging that the players were asking themselves – How did we lose that one? Where did we go wrong? In very uncertain weather conditions that would prove to be the norm, the two previous days under 21 games had been called off without travelling, the captain, Matt Hickey, inserted Haberdashers. Their openers, Jenkins and Patel, batted for eleven elongated overs without any apparent problems, although sixteen overs were lost in this period to one very heavy shower and one less persistent one. The openers were scoring at 4.36 when Patel was caught by Carr off Hickey’s fourth ball of his first spell’s final over. Another 42 were added for the second wicket in ten overs as the visitors were scoring, from their point of view, at a very acceptable rate. It was a smart run out by Ryan Stevenson and Matt Thompson that broke the spell and sent back the second opener. It had been all left arm seam from the town end as Peter Steer replaced the captain, who had turned to spin at the pavilion end. This was initially from Tom Field, who, after four overs, was replaced by Jonathan Debenham who bowled his full quota of nine. This was a good spell for Devon as Alex Carr replaced Steer two overs into the second half of the visitor’s innings, both innings now being reduced to 42. In the twenty-fifth over Debenham bowled a wicket maiden having the visitor’s captain very well caught by Will Gater in an over the shoulder effort, Gater made good ground and demonstrated the standard of catching and application required at this level. The score was now 104 and eleven runs later Debenham took his second wicket when he beat Selvakumar in the flight and bowled him. His figures were now 2-21 off six. Malde was batting well but became Peter Steer’s first county wicket when he was bowled for an excellent 56 ball 38. It was now the order of the long handle and from 118-4 in the thirty-first over Haberdashers advanced to 191 at tea. They scored at 6.66 (having previously scored at 3.80) as some simple outfield catches were spilled and the shorter bowling green boundary was cleared. Carr bowled an excellent first five overs at two and a half but was lofted for a big six and a four with a single off his last over. Debenham was confirming, with not just his athletic fielding but his figures of 3-35 off nine, why he was to play a full season with the seventeen’s. With his penultimate ball he had Morjaria caught by his captain. Hickey was now back in tandem with Steer and embarking towards his bowling target for the season by taking two more important wickets. Carr caught Soffair and Steer the famous grandson, Tom Edrich, who was to play for Middlesex in the fifteens’ ECB final later in the summer. It was the view of the captain that the target of just over four an half was very gettable. The sun was now out and the general ground conditions improving.

The openers, Matt Thompson and Luke Tuckett, put on 48 in seventeen overs at just under three when Tuckett, who was just starting to take on the spin attack of Parekh and Edrich, was run out by a direct hit. He had scored 26 off forty-seven balls. Thompson was then joined by Ryan Stevenson and they had taken the score past the hundred to 116 in the thirty-first over (Haberdashers had been 118-4 at the same stage), when Thompson’s one hundred and one minute stay at the wicket ended as he was bowled by Parekh. The question was asked as to whether Devon, in a similar situation to their opponents, would be able to score at a similar rate of 6.8. They initially went at 4.6 for five overs, increasing the required rate to close to 7.5 as the pressure was building. Matt Hickey was out in the thirty-eighth over, Henry Parkin in the fortieth with 30 still needed off 15 balls and, as the final over was approached, it was an improbable eighteen still required. The opposition’s captain, Soni, completed a personal day to remember, as he magnificently marshalled his troops, who were now most certainly scenting victory, as he took a hat trick. Stevenson’s fine innings came to an end, 51 off 62 balls in 84 minutes, the batsmen crossed, and Will Gater was caught next ball and Steer went for a second county first baller in eight days. The game was now over as Debenham and Toby Ingham played out the final three balls leaving Devon 15 short. The lessons to be learnt from the game were that all their chances must taken, they must have an ability and plan to slow down the inevitable acceleration that comes when an opposition is setting a target with wickets in hand, they would have to learn how to set a tempo throughout their innings that does not result in a rate of more than a run a ball at chase down and finally they will have to look at improving their running. The record books indicated that Soni’s hat trick was the first by an opponent at this level.

What had initially been intended as a game to give the under 17s a run out, against a strong Western Australian side, before their competitive season started, suddenly became a problem! This was the result of trying to free up the Isle of Wight Festival week for both management and players. However the original good intent only compounded a difficult situation resulting in Devon playing two under 17 away fixtures in four days at the same time three players and, at one time, possibly the manager were away at Loughborough. Thanks to the support of Jack Porter and a number of last year’s seventeens, we were able to honour the fixture also giving some potential under 16s an opportunity. The grape vine had indicated that our opponents were particularly strong, which was confirmed by the Sussex under 17s whom they had beaten. Indeed Western Juniors arrived at Seaton unbeaten, having already played five games in the South and Midlands and having won them all. They were due to meet Somerset IIs the following day. So the result in many ways was a major surprise as Devon outplayed their much vaunted opponents by bowling them out for 63 in just twenty-nine overs. Part time bowler Tom Whittle started the rot by trapping Downie leg before on 16 and at the same score he caught the second opener off Joe Thompson. It was three down on the same score when Torquay’s Thompson caught and bowled Risdon for a duck and two runs later it got worse for our Australian visitors when Whittle picked up his second leg before. Ten were added for the fifth wicket when the captain Eliot Acton started a remarkable spell of taking four wickets for eight runs. He first bowled Fitt, had Hutchinson leg before thirty runs later and, on the same score, Henry Parkin caught the previous day’s centurion Radunavich first ball. On sixty Porter gave the captain his final wicket. Off spinner Andrew Buzza’s third ball prised out the stubborn Fraser, who had batted for four minutes under the hour for 22 when he was bowled. Whittle who started it all completed the rout when he bowled last man Tognolini for a single to finish with figures of 3-13 off 7.4 overs. Barton's second team keeper, Steven Lewis, who was making his county debut, did not concede a bye and received a good report from the watching under 17 keeper Matt Thompson.

Acton gave the sixteens a chance to demonstrate their batting skills but it was one of last summer’s leading batters, Gareth Tidball, who was first to fall on the dreaded score of 16 and indeed a fifth wicket in the match fell at the same score, when Miles Lenygon was caught. Parkin and Dan Pickard doubled the score before Parkin was leg before. Whittle's batting did not match his bowling as he was bowled by Fitt for one, seventh ball. Fortunately North Devon’s Pickard was resolute and with Jack Porter took Devon home in twenty-five overs and six wickets in hand. A satisfactory result where once again Seaton looked after the county exceptionally well in all respects but the game generally did not enhance the reputations of the sixteens which had now been its prime objective.

The game at Panteg Cricket Club was, in football parlance, a game of two halves, Devon won the first but came second after tea. Thanks to Edward Thompson and the Combe Pafford School min-bus the side made the comfortable journey into Wales over the Severn inside two hours. They arrived to find a very well appointed ground with a delightful elevated pavilion, electronic score box and a vast flat playing area where the timber picket boundary fence restricts the ability to reduce the size of boundaries. The pitch was dead centre of a large square and the sun was starting to shine through. The fifteens were to play their cup quarter final at the same ground later in the summer. Unfortunately Devon arrived with some players carrying notifiable injures that had not been notified. This was a totally unacceptable situation and placed the rest of the side under undue pressure. It is an unwritten rule that injuries or illness of any kind must be immediately advised to the management, in order that the situation can be assessed. Matthew Hickey won the toss and batted. The openers Matt Thompson and Luke Tuckett put on 61 in four minutes over the hour (off 109 balls) at just under three an over. Tuckett did not go through with his shot and was caught and bowled, becoming the first Devon player to depart up the thirty-two steps, just seven short of John Buchan and the old Wembley. Ryan Stevenson joined Thompson and another 17 were added when Thompson swept and was leg before. The under 15 captain Zak Bess came in at four to make his under 16 debut and join Stevenson. The pair put on 78 in four minutes under the hour off 98 balls providing some most promising cricket. Five short of a debut fifty Bess was caught having faced 64 balls and been at the crease for 56 minutes, he had hit six fours. Stevenson was on 42 when he was joined by his Dartington team mate and captain. These two bat very well together with Hickey’s influence always being noticeable. They increased the score by 69 off just eight overs. Stevenson’s fifty came off 90 balls but his final twenty-six runs came off only 19. This was his second successive half century. Hickey is a fine striker of the ball and has an inborn ability to play the innings suitable for the occasion. He took just thirty-two balls to reach 42, striking two impressive sixes. He was caught trying to hit a third. Stevenson and Gater took the side up to tea at 236 with Stevenson undefeated on 76 and the side had scored at over eight for the last ten overs, there was still clearly a need to learn how to pace an innings over fifty. Devon was confident of defending and Wales were apparently not that optimistic of chasing, as the replacement of a harder ball by a softer one, that had been despatched by Hickey into the adjoining overgrowth, later in the innings had indicated.

They should not have concerned themselves as preparations were being made, half way through their innings, for a smart getaway as a ten wicket thrashing looked on the cards as Cleeve and Millichip put on 150 in thirty-five overs, Hickey had by then used eight bowlers some had indicated a lack of match fitness and others an actual lack of practice. It was one of the most disappointing spells of under 16 cricket and it would not have been a surprise if the openers had batted through. A wicket did fall at 168 when Gater held another catch that he made look easy off the captain to remove Millichip for a 114 ball 55. Eighteen were put on for the third wicket when Lawlor was caught by Hickey to give Bess his first under 16 wicket. With Wales needing thirty-eight runs Bess took his second wicket when he bowled Cleeve three short of his hundred. It had been an excellent innings taking 153 minutes and 133 balls. At last Devon started to put on some pressure and in turn Wales started to wobble. At 215 Scarr was bowled by Carr and next ball Debenham brilliantly ran out Van Wyk with a direct, side on, hit. That was Devon’s last positive moment as Wales reached their target with eight balls unused which was much closer than had been anticipated earlier. The home side used the large boundaries well, converting ones into twos and they paced their innings competently; at least they had lost one more wicket than their visitors. In a fifty over game Devon had unacceptably given their opponents a further 25 balls in wides and no balls as the umpires appeared to clamp down on the offside post tea, It was still a quick getaway from the Principality as the day did not improve as the designated Whimpy bar was closed to complete a generally disappointing day at the office.

On the Richter scale of disasters the first day of the Devon under 16s game with Cornwall was easily ten. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect was the loss to Dartington and Totnes of two of their key players, Hickey and Ryan Stevenson, who were kicking their heels in St Austell whilst their club failed narrowly to beat Kingsbridge in the semi-final of the Corinthian Cup at Axminster. After leaving Exeter on time and to a new vocalist, Afro Man, evidently a favourite at Ipplepen, and despite cloud and drizzle en route no one could have anticipated the scene that greeted the side at St Austell. On entering the ground it was clearly evident that the prospect of play looked extremely doubtful. The square was uncovered and there were brown, wet patches clearly visable from the car park. On disembarkation this sad suspicion was confirmed. Coach Joe Smith made phone calls to his local contacts, a Swift in the making, and it was confirmed there was no local pitch and put, the town's cinema was being refurbished and Truro's fully booked but there was a bowling alley. Joe booked two lanes for 3.00pm, subsequently brought forward an hour, as the St Austell ladies very kindly put on an excellent lunch of ploughman's, burgers, sausages and chips followed by fruit and ice cream. It was too early to book into the Travel Lodge so the Michael Vaughan resignation press conference was listened too. There was only a pub with instant coffee as St Austell reminded of the old post war depressing rain hit holiday Sundays! The ten pin bowling techniques were interesting; it was thoughtful skill from Hickey, success for Stevenson, shock and surprise from Tuckett, the heavy ball was bowled by Gater, the subtle one from Debenham, the competitive one, the I do not really care, Smith. Freddie Gabbitass made the most progress whilst Thompson, Steer and Carr made only a little if any progress at all. Toby Ingham and under 15s Mitcham and Huxtable were inconsistent but for everyone two hours were lost and the Travel Lodge was now available. The DVD from the ECBCA Conference on the success of Sussex gaining the county championship in 2007 was recalled as it had featured a bonding day at a bowling alley, at least everyone was still speaking after Devon's effort! It had rained cats and dogs but by now the latter were tucked up in room 314. The Poolgooth Inn at least provided a decent end to the day, with rib eye, shark and banoffee popular and partially redeeming one of the less satisfactory days in the annals of under 16 cricket.

Devon was back at the Exeter Services before lunch on the planned second day. At breakfast it was learnt that Matt Thompson was entering adolescence, giving a remarkable take off of a combination of both Harry Enfield and Catherine Tate when he nearly had Devon banned from the Travel Lodge chain. Our thoughts have to be with his parents over the next year or so and he has to accept that what Mike Atherton might get away with at a five star hotel in Birmingham does not necessarily work at St. Austell. We woke to blue skies of a kind, the forecast promised much but most certainly not the persistent heavy drizzle that only left us when we crossed the Tamar. We thanked our hosts and made the second quick getaway of the season, this one for all the right reasons. Carr was despatched at Okehampton, but the plumber was late, Steer was also due to be ferried home from there but decided to stay on the bus. Luke Tuckett reminded everyone that there are still some reasonable tunes but his suggestion for the IOW festival anthem was quickly despatched to the recycle bin. For only the second time a two day Devon youth cricket match did not get started although a third would be added within a fortnight. The ground at the first and third games at Exmouth had at least been adequately protected. Joe Smith’s coaching book had another new chapter added as he coped brilliantly with all the frustrations as indeed did the team. The trip at least confirmed that the scorer’s lack of trust in inside leg measurements was fully justified as some 29” were quickly ordered. A visit to Sandford was planned but the under 14 game against Cambridgeshire had also been a victim of the 2008 summer.

Forty years ago the cricket season would run into October, but that was when Britain would not just experience reasonable summers but also had decent Indian summers. The 2008 under 16s experienced at Axminster on August 11th what it would probably be like to play in November! If the 2007 season was one of the worst for poor weather, 2008 outdid it, as, for the second successive year, the second day of this two day game with Somerset was lost. New territory was entered as after seventeen years this was the fifth day of the summer when not a ball would be bowled and the players would not need to attend – a new record. In extremely overcast conditions with spasmodic drizzle the game was transferred from the main ground to the new playing area. There has been an amazing transformation at this delightful ground as only two years ago the playing area had been two extremely uneven fields. The Somerset captain called correctly as Devon fielded the Isle of Wight festival squad minus Will Gater, who had been selected for a sapping double debut the previous weekend for his club in the Premier and Senior Cup and had requested a break. Luke Tuckett agreed to drop down the order to enable Henry Parkin to push for a top order spot on the Island but with Matt Thompson only ten were added before Parkin was caught behind off Jefferies having contributed forty percent of the partnership. The second wicket put on the second highest partnership of the innings adding nineteen and it looked as if the difficult conditions were being overcome. The impressive Cornish, bowler not county, trapped Thompson leg before and five runs later bowled Stevenson. On the same score and in the same manner Lewis departed to leave Devon in real trouble on 33-4 after fifteen overs. It was 49-5 after twenty-one as Cornish cleaned up his fourth victim, the home captain. On sixty-two, just before lunch, the recently introduced Lintott picked up two leg befores removing Tuckett who had batted for three minutes under the hour and Debenham third ball. Last summer Lintott had done exactly the same removing Williams and Stephenson in similar manner, there was a clear message here for the future when batting against this unorthodox spinner. Lunch was taken at 61-7 off 30 overs, the placement of the covers on the pitch necessitated the interruption of some of the salads. Miles Lenygon was proving a point, looking in no trouble and picking up useful runs. With Tom Field, who was making his debut at the crease, the pair put on the best partnership of the innings and it looked as if the record books could be put away and that the lowest scores under 110 would not be added too. This was not to be as on 83 Field was caught by Cornish after battling for 39 balls. Toby Ingham did not enhance his batting reputation and with Lenygon given the go ahead to play his shots he was stumped within a few balls after 85 minutes at the crease and facing 64 balls. The records will be amended to include the fifth lowest score by an under 16 side – not a great performance albeit on a slow dampish track. Something they were to experience the following week in the Isle of Wight so it would be necessary for some techniques to be tweaked.

The Somerset openers got their side within four runs of putting on half the target in seventeen overs when Ryan Stevenson struck, a loud appeal resulted in the finger being raised but he had in fact bowled Cornish, who had completed a fine all round performance scoring 29. In his next over he struck again and bowled Thorpe and his name was requested by the black glazed tinted Chelsea tractor, presumably housing the Somerset scout. Somerset was still not hallway at 45-2 but they had got within eighteen runs when Debenham's flighted ball out foxed Ellison. The target was reached in thirty-eight overs. Peter Steer and Alex Carr replaced the off spin attack. Carr must have been wondering when his next spell was coming as he had recently travelled down to St Austell and Burnham without bowling an over. In fairness no one bowled at St Austell! He should have had Tanner caught at cover from a fairly routine catch, indeed Devon had not accepted a couple of chances but reassuringly Luke Tuckett, who was keeping to give Thompson a rest, had put on a near faultless performance however it was thought that his appeal still needed attention as it tended to be 30 seconds behind the rest. It was Barton’s second team keeper, Steve Lewis, who clutched a low catch to remove Tanner in the next over off Steer. That was Devon’s final success as the visitor’s talented captain Spurway ensured his side first innings victory but once they had passed the initial target there was a very strange period of cricket that continued up until close of play when twenty runs were scored in fourteen overs. The visiting captain’s strike rate was interesting, he scored five off his first forty balls, twenty-one off the next eighteen balls and twelve off his last fifty-two balls. Toby Ingham’s figures were particularly impressive nine overs, six overs for nine runs. The umpires had somehow managed to ensure the full one hundred and two overs being bowled on a dull wet autumnal day.

Phone numbers were exchanged, radars scanned, the coach was confident that some play would take place the following day and an 8.00am inspection arranged. The radar proved to be accurate as it pelted for two and a bit hours between 2.00am and 5.00am as an Exeter milkman texted FiveAlive at 3.00am thanking them for their outstanding Olympics coverage as he was in the middle of a monsoon. What was particularly disappointing was that the message was heard live! Also as had been promised, Tuesday started with a deep rich cloudless blue sky, drying wind and extremely warm sunshine. There was an early clue as there were large puddles present outside the Axminster base as the short journey to Cloakham Lawn was undertaken. The day in fact had started as one of the better days of the summer and the two grounds looked in pristine condition as the lane was navigated and the early dog walkers avoided. A non smiling (second clue) Phil Spong conducted a tour of the two grounds and the final clue was the water enveloping the clean brown shoes fresh for the chino’s debut the following day. Despite ample covering the new ground was a total no hoper and although the Axminster curator offered the main ground, subject to it not raining again and at least three hours drying, common sense prevailed and the phone calls, with the invaluable help of the coach had been made by the pre agreed deadline. It remained one of the best days of summer, despite a sprinkle at 11.00am and the unplanned rest day enabled a visit to be undertaken to the scene of the French Lieutenant’s Woman. It looked as if the forecasters had got it totally wrong until, on return to Axminster and before the Archers repeat had started, the heavens opened and grave concern was experienced about the following two days play at Exmouth as the forecast for the rest of the week was typical of the summer. The remainder of the rest day ensured that the Fantasy points were updated.

Fittingly, as this was to prove to be the last under 16 Isle of Wight Festival, the squad won the title for only the second time since our first visit in 1996. They were superbly lead by Matt Hickey, who was unsurprisingly nominated as Devon's player of the festival, and new coach Joe Smith, who has made an indelible impression on both the 16s and 17s in his first summer. With the total and astonishing co-operation of both the GKN and Ventnor Clubs all five games were played with Devon winning all but one with consummate ease, the fifth game resulting in a tight single figure run win. After the disappointment of the cancellation and abandonment against Cornwall and Somerset this was a satisfactory end to a summer, where the benefits of this age group had come under close scrutiny. With the fifteens now progressing annually in their cup competition and the ECB adding a knock out competition to the two day under 17 programme the future of the 16s was still under pressure.

Our thirteenth and final visit to the Isle of Wight was approached with more trepidation than ever before, with superstition not being a real concern but the worry, which was a major one, was the weather. August 2008 turned out to be the wettest August on record and had already had a serious effect on county youth cricket with the sixteens and seventeens suffering as badly as any age group. On the Island the captain, Matt Hickey, scored a special hundred against Lincolnshire and in all 224 runs at 44.80, Matt Thompson was twelve short of a hundred against the Isle of Wight, averaging 43.25 in scoring 173 runs. The second Dartington all rounder, Ryan Stevenson, was seventeen short of a maiden county hundred against Hertfordshire but scored the same number of runs as William Gater who had a hundred in his sights against Hertfordshire and scored one of the fastest county fifties ever against Berkshire off just 27 balls. They both averaged 32.80 scoring 164 runs, twenty more than that splendid team player, Luke Tuckett. In ideal bowling conditions, very damp bowler friendly tracks, spinners Tom Field, who took 14 at 8.21 and Jonathan Debenham 8 wickets at 22 were the leading bowlers. Field’s 7-27 against the Isle of Wight development squad was the best ever under 16 return. It was the first time that seven wickets had been taken in an innings at this age level but was one wicket short of the best ever youth return held by Paignton's Mark Edwards. Much was learnt about all of the players and will make selection for 2009 much easier. The members of the side were excellent ambassadors for the County in what had been the most incoherent under 16 summer on record. For the second year running the fifteens had reached the national county cup finals (to lose the final by just one run), ruling out all of their players for the festival and Lewis Gregory was called up for what was to be a very successful week with Somerset Seconds. Due to these circumstances and for the first time ever an all under sixteen age group squad was selected for the festival. This in itself would defeat one of the prime objectives of the week in Hampshire - getting the likely 2009 under 17 squad together, to build up for the following year’s campaign.

This Festival, with so many demands on the Isle of Wight work force, had been under regular review and, whereas at its peak there were more first class counties than not in the up to twelve teams competing, standards have generally dropped off and the weather has dramatically altered over the this period. With an Island and its cricket community geared to predominantly dry summers, there has always been a paucity of covering and this has, over recent years, deterred some counties from attending. Irrespective of these thoughts it was still a major feat that Devon should win the festival picking up two points short of the maximum and finishing the season in a most encouraging manner. The fact that five games were played at all was truly remarkable as rain was never far away and this achievement was the direct result of the tremendous support given by the organisers and in particularly the GKN and Ventnor Cricket Clubs. Despite the climate concerns it was an uneventful journey to Lymington, with the women’s coxless fours demonstrating the mighty lows of sport when they were simply unable to respond to an interviewer after picking up a mere silver medal. Usually at least once on every journey to the Island the passport gag has been pulled or at least attempted but this year it was nowhere to be heard, they must be a much more intelligent group than usual! This was quickly dispelled at Lymington when the brightest of this year’s GCSE contingent instigated a very detailed and thoughtful debate on urinal stall heights! It was good to be back at the Inglewood where we have been royally looked after for two years and the roast and indeed all the meals were even better than last year. The only real snags were that the luggage van was trapped by a very alert traffic warden, who must have thought that Christmas had come early, as there were only two other vehicles in the vast car park (both from Devon) and it then started to drizzle. Monday started in a similar vein, the Island, which always used to have its own micro climate and often tended to miss the rain, has over recent years become something of a magnet for precipitations even attracting tail ends of hurricanes from the States! It was an overcast start to the week as we left Will Gater talking to himself in the lounge but with two newly tanned under 17s ready to wear their new vests. We arrived at GKN with rain in the air. This ground has in the past not been a happy hunting ground, with very few games actually being completed due to the weather that is of course apart from the infamous Challoner onslaught that still haunts last year’s coach. On arriving at the ground the most accommodating groundsman was mowing a new track and somehow we played there on three successive days despite having initially been scheduled to play at Shanklin on Tuesday. In fact no game was played during the week at Shanklin. Off the field it was a totally disastrous day, perhaps the most catastrophic in seventeen years. The scorer had left her scoring equipment bag and glasses at the Inglewood, the car would not grip on the wet ground so the minibus was the only available means of transport to recover this critical kit. All seemed to be well, when on the return journey there was a real difficulty in engaging the mini-bus gears. The AA was immediately summoned and efficiently checked their on board lap top which revealed a possible major loose bolt problem which could ruin a gearbox if the vehicle was driven. The mini-bus was taken off to the main Ford dealers on the Island and subsequently we were transportless as we could not get a replacement bus from the mainland until the next day. After discussions with various taxi firms, the IOW Cricket Board came to our rescue and kindly loaned us their own Renault bus. Back to the cricket, with rain or forecasted rain a major concern, the game plan was to bat first and then get in as quickly as possible the statutory twenty overs that make up a game in this competition. Our opposition was a very young inexperienced Isle of Wight development side. For the first time, in 2008, the Island had entered the under 17 two day ECB LV competition and unsurprisingly had devoted all their resources towards this age group necessitating their withdrawal, earlier in the summer, from the Inter County under 16 competition. Our opponents had a two day game at Ryde later in the week so all their leading assets, particularly their better under 16s and 15s, were to be employed in that game resulting in Devon and the other visitors being confronted with a much frailer side than normal. In difficult batting conditions Devon disposed of their hosts in a very workmanlike manner winning by a comprehensive 134 runs. The discrepancy in runs was a clear indication of the difference in ability of the two sides. Devon was inserted and openers Matt Thompson and Luke Tuckett put on the highest opening partnership of the summer. Having faced together 126 balls and scoring two runs over the hundred Tuckett was caught for his top county score of the summer. The second wicket did not fall until the thirty-fourth over when Ryan Stevenson was caught behind for a forty-one ball 36. His catcher had an infamous father, who was watching on the side lines, the former Coventry City goalkeeper and BBC presenter, David Ike, who had made a memorable appearance on Wogan and had subsequently gone on to greater spiritual heights. The partnership had yielded 68 and the third wicket partnership added another 57, taking the score up to 228 off forty-two overs with the captain adding 24. Thompson was unbeaten on 80 when he lost Matt Hickey and had in theory another 47 balls to reach his maiden county hundred. Twenty were added in conjunction with Will Gater, both batsmen contributing seven and then there was a major collapse including the demise of the keeper. Gater was caught two short of his sides’ two fifty. Steve Lewis and Miles Lenygon were both dismissed first ball and on the same score 249 the keeper went tamely caught for a 123 ball 88 having batted three hours six minutes. He should have scored a ton and there were many disappointed witnesses including his parents, who had themselves created an interesting sight as they celebrated their wedding anniversary either side of the ground conversing by mobile! Debenham and Tom Field ensured that the two fifty was reached but immediately afterwards JJ was the third duck of the innings. Field and Toby Ingham took Devon up to the highest score of the summer 270 when, with ten balls left, the rain became too heavy and drove the players off for an early break. It is likely that the extra balls would have taken the side closer to the highest sixteen team score but on this occasion they were left in eleventh place with six other occasions also being against the Island. Devon forfeited the remaining balls and it was now vital that one hundred and twenty balls were bowled in a record time. There was not great resistance as Devon achieved their objective in a remarkable fifty-three minute spell, showing what can be achieved by a united effort. In the twenty overs the Island had been reduced to 48-8 on a now even wetter track that made batting even more difficult. The Hickey/Thompson combination started the rot, Toby Ingham took the second and Tom Field the third. Field was to be the chief executioner bowling straight and varying his pace as he fully exploited the conditions, he took a new Devon under 16 record haul of 7-27 off 11.4 overs, bowling four and also being assisted by catches from Thompson, Tuckett and Debenham. Jonathan Debenham interspersed this spell taking the fourth wicket when he trapped the opposition’s captain in front. Once the main target had been reached it became a disappointing end as the visitors appeared to take their foot off the accelerator, to the subsequent annoyance of the management, with the ninth wicket being taken in the twenty-second over one short of the fifty but another 87 runs being added for the last wicket off 122 balls, a most unsatisfactory end.  It was the returning Field who took the final wicket to create the new record.

The disasters continued as the rain started again, and the min-bus driver experienced problems in differentiating between the break and the accelerator pedals of the borrowed Isle of Wight bus and could not understand why the thing would not move, it was the eagle eyed JJ that put him right! The final calamity was that the scorer had been left at the ground without any car keys or one of the three mobiles necessitating the third return trip of the day from Sandown to East Cowes. Encouragingly Devon was the only side on the Island to complete a game so they were now in pole position and surely there would not be another similar problematic day.

Tuesday was a much better day and a full match was achieved against the Buckinghamshire under 16 side who had four representatives playing, who had played against the Devon under 17s twelve days earlier at Burnham on two of the month’s better days, and one key bowler who was injured. Compared to Bucks Devon had seven players who had been at the game so it would be interesting to see whether this differential would be reflected in the result. It was indeed a close game, mainly due to yet another decent tenth wicket partnership that got our opponents within eight runs of our total. Devon was inserted on the same strip as the previous day but against a stronger side and were made to fight for every run. It was a critical third wicket partnership that turned the game as first Luke Tuckett was caught in the sixth over with his side three short of twenty and Ryan Stevenson experienced one of his rare failures with the score having moved on to twenty-six. Captain Hickey and vice captain Thompson put on 81 in six minutes over the hour off 114 balls. Thompson was the first to fall in a combined under 17 dismissal as he was caught by Shiel off Wells for fifty-one which included three sixes and three fours. Devon were now two overs into the second half of their innings and Will Gater fell eight balls later following a run a ball partnership. He then caused the first piece of pavilion damage since the Falklands (not the war) although it was not as serious as on that occasion when the club had to re-plaster the dressing room wall. The CSI team raised some questions about bat trajectory and window heights but fortunately the matter did not end up in court. The fifth wicket put on the second highest partnership of the innings a meagre twenty-four which just confirmed the importance of the leaders’ contribution. The captain departed after another important innings scoring one run more than his deputy. He had hit seven fours and one six. As the previous day the lower order did not contribute the volume of runs that most certainly will be needed in 2009. Henry Parkin was the only one to reach double figures as Steven Lewis, learning the hard facts of life about county cricket, was stumped. The final total of 173 had been aided and abetted by a vital twenty-five extras (including five penalty runs) as it subsequently turned out importantly ten more than Devon conceded. One of the basic rules of cricket is to bat the overs and Devon discarded thirty-eight balls that would have put them in an invincible position if they had been utilised sensibly. It was poor cricket and created further major concerns for next year.

Buckinghamshire were identically placed as their opponents with regard to their total when they lost their third wicket but had taken an additional 50 balls. Toby Ingham, who had impressed at both age groups all summer, had Goss caught by Miles Lenygon and it was a run out that involved Alex Carr and the keeper that sent back the other opener, Walters. Thanks to a neat catch from Tuckett, Debenham took his first wicket on 107. By now Devon had wheels again as a replacement mini-bus had been shipped in from Portsmouth. The manager returned the driver to the floating bridge and was then unmercifully mocked for the remainder of the week over his limited knowledge of this means of transportation. From 107-3 Buckinghamshire fell away to 120-7 as Tom Field took three wickets and Jonathan Debenham took his second. Debenham had for the second day running to contend with the very short leg side boundary and bravely persevered at the more difficult end. It seemed all over but as Nottinghamshire were to find out later in their vital Forty40 with Sussex, you can never take anything for granted in cricket. Devon seemed home and dry at 140-9 as JJ took his third and Field his fourth. It now became exceedingly tight as the long handle and the short boundary came into play as twenty-five were added off just fifteen balls. Debenham did seem to take his natural goodwill to all men too far as he conceded three sixes in his last over which did change the whole complexion of the game. With eighteen balls remaining Hickey played his masterstroke bringing back Ryan Stevenson who with the last ball of his first over bowled Hampton, who had crashed an eleven ball twenty-one. It was a nail biting end and in the process Devon dropped their first point. Hickey is a very unobtrusive captain but is one of the more intelligent of the species and played this one just right, the spinners had put Devon into a commanding position and Stevenson carried out the coup de grâce. Joe Smith came of age as he gave an outstanding debrief and much should have been learnt from this game. One of the weaknesses of this group is that they do not have a keen DJ, both Tuckett and Debenham provide a reasonable balance of music but both are reluctant to sit in the front of a mini-bus that would now allow gear changes to be undertaken. This was an excellent result despite some short comings in execution.

Our third game at GKN was eventually curtailed by rain, after a promising start with a tale of two warm ups. Our opponents, Hertfordshire, had won the previous day on the last ball to the young Isle of Wight side and they appeared to be involved in a lengthy discussion that seemed to go on and on. Whereas Joe Smith had his group up and running immediately and our hosts considered that the game was already virtually won! There is a movement for some counties to put great faith in their emerging players programme and the appointment of a lead coach. Although Devon will be working increasingly with their emerging players, it is considered important that they do not fall into the trap into which other counties appear to have fallen. Cricket at youth level must still remain fun, albeit with a very competitive edge, but it does seem to be becoming increasingly serious and it is doubtful if this approach will result in any more test players but most certainly it could result in a loss of players who play purely for enjoyment. Devon won the toss and batted and, having discussed the grave concerns about the performance of the lower order, Matt Thompson volunteered to try and marshal this vital resource. In turn this enabled one of the original plans to be carried out - the promotion of William Gater to open the innings. Gater is one of the most naturally gifted of cricketers of any generation but has tended to be short on both application and awareness of the game situation. If he can harness both these vital ingredients to his natural ability, he will be an exceptional talent. With Luke Tuckett 54 were added in fourteen overs and 50 minutes, Tuckett had played his part and after hitting two fours in his 19 was caught. Two short of the hundred were added for the second by Gater and Stevenson, the best second wicket partnership of the summer, in 75 minutes off 138 balls when Gater’s superb contribution came to an end, he had displayed all his good points and added, on this occasion, the vital element of application, something he had also demonstrated against the Hertfordshire seventeens earlier in the summer. He had batted two hours five minutes for a splendid 75 (six fours and 4 sixes). His partner Ryan Stevenson had been no slouch either, hitting 45 off 68 balls, this had been a most encouraging partnership which boded well for 2009. Gater is unlikely to open in 2009 but his aspirations have to be to bat at the top of the order and bat long sessions. The South Hams village combination added 32 off 33 when the captain holed out. Miles Lenygon now had eight overs to demonstrate his batting capability which due to his ongoing back problem was now the one and only string to his bow. With Stevenson another thirty-four runs were added off 39 balls before Stevenson’s bright innings came to an end needing just seventeen for his maiden county hundred. He had faced only 102 balls, batted one minute under two hours and hit six fours and three sixes, another top performance from this fine all-rounder. Somerset had noticed him in their game with us at Axminster and he has subsequently been invited to attend at Taunton during the winter, but unfortunately, like Lenygon, he continues to experience back problems that have restricted his opportunities to shine. The batters were peppering the submarine boundary and things got so bad that a matrimonial lap was sought for protection two days into their next year together. With Devon eighteen past the two hundred, Lenygon and Thompson put on 13, well actually only Lenygon as Thompson did not face a ball, it had been superb marshalling by the keeper! Lenygon was bowled by Randall, who had played against us at Haileybury in July, for a season’s best 24. Thompson, Parkin and Field then took the score up to a most satisfactory 243. Thompson did his job batting for fourteen minutes scoring at a run a ball and was undefeated on 1 as he watched another twenty-one added at the other end! A chance was taken by the manager to have a guided tour of the Island’s incredible new ground at Newclose near Newport, this ground has facilities that are up to first class standard. It is hoped that Devon will have the opportunity of playing at this amazing ground in the future.

Hertfordshire decided to make the most of their batting opportunity and scored 74 in 34.2 overs, scoring at 2.18 when the required rate was 4.86. They had lost four wickets when very heavy rain brought an early conclusion to the game. Ingham had struck at 4, Carr at 43, Debenham had Patel caught for a duck eight runs later and Field removed the opener Onion with the last ball before the umpires called them in. The opener had batted 113 minutes facing 98 balls for his 28. Hickey had shared the overs around and Devon had performed very well throughout the game. During the break the rain became incessant and after checking the bonus point situation the game was called off in Devon’s favour. Hertfordshire would have needed to score at over ten and a quarter to win the game. In the rain we showed our appreciation to our hosts, particularly their most helpful groundsman. However it was disappointing that a reluctance to man a scoreboard appears to be in the genes as on one occasion the coach had to change a request to a directive, which is not how it should be. As it happened the two remaining games were at Ventnor, so there would be no further need to do the numbers. It continued to rain as we returned to Sandown and, on the earlier advice of JJ Debenham, You Don’t Mess with the Zion was the designated film. There were some amusing scenes in the hair salon but this effort of a version of a Crocodile Dundee type comedy, which stared Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Judd Apatow, did perhaps deserve no more than the one star one critic gave. Hopefully the message that You Don’t Mess with the Coach at least got through. The cinema was left in more rain and concern for the following day mounted.

The film had ended late the previous night and the mini-bus, yet again minus a DJ, returned in heavy rain. Thursday dawned with sunshine and blueish sky but the walk to purchase the pre-nine o’clock car park tickets revealed some ominously large puddles. Mobiles were in constant use as results were checked, all seemed to be going well with Alex Carr the star. For the second time, since the rain at Axminster the previous summer, Hickey had got it wrong. It appeared everyone was satisfied though perhaps it had not been necessary to learn the results of a complete year group at Taunton!! We drove through Shanklin, our previous base, on our way to one of Devon’s favourites grounds, Ventnor, in the knowledge that the well appointed bowl shaped ground had covers and if there was a chance of playing anywhere on the Island this was the ground where play would take place. Despite this being about the eleventh visit to this ground the incorrect turning to the Botanical gardens was taken again but this time was far better concealed! On passing the ground it was clearly evident that much work was being undertaken on the square with covers removed and roller and manpower working overtime. Hickey won the toss and Devon batted, Matt Thompson was restored as opener and Luke Tuckett made marshal for the day. Forty-eight were added in nine overs when Will Gater received a half volley and gave cover an easy catch. That much overused and indeed exasperating expression that a half volley is a half volley came immediately into use by the batter. This is not one of greatest cricket expressions as every single half volley is different. This one was from a new bowler, Hughes, his first delivery and Gater would have no idea what the bowler was trying to achieve. In this case he was an out swing bowler who actually completed a reasonable spell of swing bowling, conceding 3.33 an over and taking the important scalp of Gater. More on half volleys later but the message has to be to always look at a new bowler. Gater had scored 29 off 23 balls and it was evident that his technique and approach was ideally suited to opening in a one day game, all he needs to add is……….. Matt Thompson committed another cardinal sin, as just two runs later he was walking up the slope having been caught off Irving. As so often this summer it was all D & T for the next eighty minutes and one hundred and thirty-eight balls with the best third wicket partnership of the summer. With the score advanced by 108 runs, in the thirty-third over Ryan Stevenson was caught for another vital contribution. Marshall Tuckett came in with the side well set and the captain in commanding form on 64. No Devon batsman has scored a ton at Ventnor, Neil Bettiss reached 99 and his comment on returning to the old pavilion still haunts. That all changed on the 21st August 2008. Tuckett and Hickey equalled the best fourth wicket partnership of 2008 when they put on 69 in 41 minutes and the captain advanced to another excellent hundred. All his previous centuries were recalled on the balcony and this one was achieved in one hundred and eight balls and he added two more to his collection of sixes striking eight fours. His partner did not give him a chance to tee off as his well hit straight drive was deflected on to the non striker’s end stumps by bowler, Harvey, for Hickey to be unfortunately run out. Tuckett took his new role seriously as another thirty were added in the company of Lenygon when the Ipplepen all rounder was leg before for a 55 ball 44. Good job done. Steve Lewis scored his first county run on his first ball but was caught on his third, Lenygon and Parkin took Devon up to a slightly above par score of 263.

This was a similar situation to the Wales game earlier in the summer, although on a smaller ground but one that can be difficult to defend, so it would be interesting to see how the side responded. The required rate was 5.26 and Lincolnshire scored at 3.00 for the first ten losing Neal caught behind off Hickey in the eleventh, by twenty our opponents were scoring at 3.3 and lost their second wicket in the twenty-third when Thompson did his stuff again with a stumping off Peter Steer with the score on 76. At the halfway stage they were 88 (3.52) and two overs later they were 91-3 when Carr had Evison caught by Field for a thirty-two minute 7. The only cloud was the performance of Osmond who was batting with consummate ease and picking up runs with little difficulty and at will. He passed his fifty in seventy-nine minutes and off only 59 balls and he looked a very good cricketer. With Monson, an appropriate name this summer, the highest partnership of the innings was put on – 58 in only thirty-six minutes as for the first time the game was getting away from Devon. In the thirty-seventh over Field bought the wicket of Monson with 114 still needed off 72, normally a difficult ask but Osmand’s presence did put a slightly different complexion on it all. Gater had opened both the batting and bowling in this game and he returned to the attack to bowl the forty-second over. His first ball to Pursehouse was a half volley that ended up at cover in the safe hands of Debenham, the season’s outstanding fielder. The point is the batter had no idea of Gater's pace or bounce or swing or anything but went after a half volley, well a half volley is a…….. Huge lesson for everyone, there is no problem whatsoever with despatching poor balls but always try and find out what you are dealing with. The score at the end of Gater’s first over back was 173-5, the rate now 11 and the pressure would finally tell despite another late flourish. Nine balls later, having just been despatched for a six, Hickey, bowling down the hill, took the prized wicket of Osmond with a stunning one handed catch in his follow through. Osmond had looked a very good, compact, batsman particularly effective on the back foot, working the ball. He had scored 82 off 93 balls with one six and nine fours. He had single-handedly kept his side in the game, a top knock. It was clearly the captain’s day when two runs later a brilliant stop and throw to Thompson ran out Day. Three wickets had been lost in three overs and with six to go, three wickets in hand and 80 to win there was nothing to lose for our opponents so Harvey and Hughes just went for it. They had put on 27 off 15 when the captain took his third, bowling Hughes, and this was followed with an undefeated 17 off the last twenty-two balls, leaving Lincolnshire 37 short. The captain’s performance had been amazing and he had carried his side with him when the chase was in full swing, this was another good result. We knew Buckinghamshire had been experiencing some problems getting games in during the week and Northwood, our venue for Friday, was already doubtful so negotiations were undertaken for Ventnor, who were exceptionally accommodating, to again host the two of us the following day. This change was ultimately agreed and therefore Ventnor was left, on results Thursday, in very good spirit with the covers in place for the following day and a second strip being prepared just in case. As with GKN, Ventnor had been incredibly helpful and were doing everything in their power to ensure that cricket would be played on a day that actually had a better forecast.

Despite initially having to share with a family our supposedly self-contained room at the Fighting Cocks, it was hoped that our last get together was enjoyed. Hickey confirmed his wide range of abilities and Carousel was a much appreciated choice in October. We said our goodbyes and thanks, offered our apologises for the broken chair that had very nearly sent a young cleaner to hospital as it collapsed under her. We wished Jeff a happy time in Peru, a card was to confirm that he did, and we left for the traditional early last day start. Friday was the best day of the week, indeed the best day for some time, sunshine and blue sky. It had rained overnight but a rogue shower had shed its load over of all places – Ventnor. The ground was again reached with real confidence but long faces greeted us. The problem was the bowlers’ run ups and, despite the home groundsman’s magic touch utilising the centre of his grass cuttings pile, a fork and bucket, there was no chance of starting on time. The groundsman, in his other guise, departed to officiate at a funeral and an early lunch was planned. The annual throwing competition did not reach the great heights of 2007 when tractors and indeed grounds were cleared but those two great friends(!) little and large won it. Gater and Thompson who were to again open the batting out threw everyone in a close competition. Devon was concluding the Festival in a similar manner to the way they had started, taking on a young inexperienced side, the Buckinghamshire Cygnets, who had filled in following Herefordshire’s withdrawal. They were predominantly under 15s led by an under 17 Patel. This should again have been an easier fixture but frustratingly Devon decided to put on their worst performance of the summer. Play started at 1.30pm, three hours late, with the game reduced to twenty-five overs, well at least our opponents utilised their quota of overs if again Devon did not. Devon was inserted and it was carnage for eight overs as William Gater destroyed the opposition’s attack with what might well be the quickest ever county youth fifty. He struck three sixes and six fours in a sublime piece of batting, timing the ball to perfection and lifting the ball in the air off his legs as well as the best. His fifty came off only thirty balls as he and Thompson put on 73. Then when he had the quickest hundred in his sights something must have happened in his head, as it was obvious to all that he would not last much longer. The clue was an arrogant ostentatious Pieterson style switch hit which he missed. The answer to the question, after he was out next ball giving a simple catch, as to how many times he had practised the shot in the nets gave a clear indication of why he did not bat on – it was never! Gater and Thompson had at least given their side a reasonable base, in view of the standard of the opposition’s young attack, but they both should have batted the full twenty-five. Thompson broke the rules for the second day running, such is adolescence, the rule being simply that the not out batter bats on at a fall of a wicket, but five runs later he was bowled for a twenty-three ball 20. The batting order had been fairly flexible at the top of the order as it had been decided, in case Gater had not fired, to retain Ryan Stevenson’s hitting power until later, so the captain came in at three and Stevenson at four. The hundred was reached in fourteen overs but, just as a big final product looked on the cards, the self destruct button was pushed. On 107 Stevenson was run out, Parkin was bowled third ball, the captain, whose immediate apology clearly indicated that he knew he should have batted through, was bowled at 115 for a 32 that he should have doubled, Steve Lewis then just took off after scoring three off four to be run out by the country mile, No runs later Field was run out without facing when the fuse blew. This game should have been the culmination of the combined work of the winter and summer together but we simply looked dreadful. Luke Tuckett, who was also keeping in this game, was at least trying to hold it all together as Ingham was bowled for the third duck against the cygnets. At 122-8 with still thirty-seven balls remaining, this was demob happy going totally mad. Luke Tuckett and Peter Steer tried to last the overs when after putting on an acceptable 29 off thirty-two balls Tuckett was stumped! Steer was last out, caught with two balls remaining, having hit two fours off successive balls and batting for thirteen balls leaving Debenham undefeated for a one ball 1.

It was now time for them to stand on their own two feet and the captain handled the turn around with obvious good effect, as they reduced their young opponents to 88-5 by the twenty third over with Steve Lewis picking up some valuable fantasy points with a run out to Ingham, Jonathan Debenham picking up three cheap wickets in a good seven over spell and Stevenson taking a catch off Alex Carr. The final thirteen balls conceded sixteen runs as Field, extracting some revenge for some previous harsh treatment when he had gone for 21 off two overs, bowled Buckland in the final over. Devon ended as deserved champions, however, after this performance, there is obviously still much work to be done to create a team to play one and two day cricket in 2009. Perhaps most disconcerting was that a number of areas that were requiring attention in the summer’s first game had still not been satisfactorily resolved. It is reassuring that a large portion of talent had remained on the mainland to so nearly pick up the national Under fifteen title and they, with some of this year’s fourteens, will be available in 2009.

Now with DJ’s in place for the remainder of the trip, we parked up at Northwood to this year’s anthem, the Mix-Masters’ World’s Greatest, which in view of some of the egos in the side was not a surprise. It was however good to see the side pick up the shield from the Islands MP as a most satisfactory conclusion to one of the stranger seasons at this level. Despite the annual cross country rush the 7pm ferry was missed, the seven thirty did not get into second gear as there was a blockage at the Lymington end but the weather on the final day and the crossing reminded us of what summer used to be like! The final visit of the summer to the Dorchester McDonalds brought recognition from the staff and was far happier than the first. The Moto Services were entered with the side in full voice confirming that they think they are the worlds greatest, well that is how it should be, the current CDM’s anthem was Queen’s, We are the Champions, nothing really changes.

Our traditional thanks – to Axminster and Seaton for their normal splendid hospitality - Axminster also put us up for a practice session, which, disappointingly, did not get a hundred per cent attendance, when the IOW pulled out; to the DCUS and their appointment team, John and Di Wadsworth, our thanks for their usual efficiency; Jim Anning for umpiring at the Isle of Wight festival in difficult circumstances but in his normal reliable manner; the scorer who was as meticulous as ever. The unexpected loss, in January, of Jack Porter was a huge blow as he would have been able to utilise his experience over the two previous summers to have come fully of age. His replacement, Joe Smith, had been earmarked as a successor in 2009 but had to take up the mantle a year early and he was simply magnificent in everything he undertook. It does, however, have to be admitted that the past four argumentative free months have been tranquil! Matt Hickey was the player of the summer, his leadership exceptional and his all round ability extraordinary, putting him in a position where he could have completed a clean sweep of the individual awards. The two day game will put him under increased pressure in 2009 but he will cope as well as the best of his predecessors, he is a rarity in the modern game as he still plays cricket for fun!. His vice captain, Matt Thompson, has matured on and off the field and, now he is not afraid to mock and be mocked, he will grow in stature to match his own growth spurt, he is another special player with great ability. Ryan Stevenson was awarded the Batsman of the Year Award for his remarkable run return over the summer. He should have scored a maiden county hundred and it is hoped he will do so in 2009. Tom Field broke the under 16 bowling record and picked up fourteen wickets in the Isle of Wight to gain the nomination of Bowler of the Year.

Despite the loss of the Isle of Wight Festival we have ensured that under 16 cricket will continue to play a vital role in the development of Devon young cricketers with an emphasis in future on the two day game.