u17sussexreport2

Miles, fresh from his maiden Premier League fifty the previous weekend, was in good form as the pair put on a record 115 for the eighth wicket. The all rounders faced 207 balls in their 104 minutes at the crease and both scored maiden county fifties. The tide was turned and it was unexpected when at 161 Jenn was caught behind off Taylor. His ovation was well deserved as he again showed how well he can cope under pressure. Under 16 Damian Price then helped Miles to put on 12 more valuable runs before he became Taylor ’s fifth victim when he was yorked. Leon Loveridge then scored off his first ball to enable him to face the opening ball of the next day. A most eventful day, where an outstanding partnership, that will take some bettering in future years, enabled Devon to climb out partially from their hole. The day continued in a similar fashion when the pub booked into for the evening meal could not be found in a village with three other inns!

Loveridge dutifully faced the first ball of the next morning and the second but fell on the third to leave Craig Miles unbeaten on 56- his and Jenn's had been magnificent performances. There would be another twist as Devon put on a totally united performance to put their hosts under pressure with Miles and Jenn taking up with the ball where they had left off with the bat. Their miserly twelve over spell ended with 29 runs on the board. In some ways it was perhaps unfortunate that the openers had been the close fielders the night before but they were given little scope for adventure in a pressure fielding performance. It was Damian Price who struck first after his first four balls moved away he brought one back to remove Hemingway. Adam Parker then chipped in first having Jarvis caught at mid wicket by Jenn than having the dangerous Atfield caught by Piper. 63-3 became 79-4 as Mike Gatting’s nephew was caught by Parker off Loveridge. Sussex was 96-5 as Laughman was trapped in front by Watkin on lunch. A fine team performance that was a credit to Devon . Lunch, as tea had the previous day, changed the complexion of the game as the Sussex captain and England under 17 keeper Gardner batted with great self belief and found good support in Tomsett as the pair put on 81 to take their side to first innings lead points. At 177 Price came back to complete his second first over wicket maiden of the day when Tomsett was caught by the standing up Marc Bettiss. As is common the batting side then went after quick additional batting points and it would be interesting to see when they would declare.