Fittingly with under 16 cricket, in its present format, in Devon under review the 2008 squad won the Isle of Wight Festival for only the second time in thirteen visits. They won all five games and were superbly lead by Matt Hickey, who was 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 this summer. With the total co-operation of the GKN and Ventnor Clubs they played all five games winning all but one with consummate ease. After the rain offs against Cornwall and Somerset this was a satisfactory end to a summer where the benefits of this age group have come under close scrutiny. With the fifteens now progressing annually in the cup competitions and the ECB looking to add a knock out competition to the two day under 17 programme the future of the 16s, as at present, is in doubt.

On the Island 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, averaged 43.25 in scoring 173 runs. Dartington's 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 Herts and scored one of fastest fifties against Berkshire off 27 balls. They averaged 32.80 scoring 164 runs, twenty more than Luke Tuckett. Spinners Tom Field 14 @ 8.21 and Jonathan Debenham 8 @ 22 were the leading bowlers. Fields 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. This record is held by Paignton's Mark Edwards. Much was learnt about all of the players and will make selection for the two day game in 2009 much easier. The side were excellent ambassadors for the County. Full reports and scorecards will be available at the end of the month.