Geoff Evans looks back on the 2005 season

A SEASON which, once the disappointments of a moderate performance in our final appearance in the C&G Trophy against Essex and a somewhat unfortunate early elimination from the MCCA Trophy by the narrowest of margins in Cornwall were set aside, gave rise to legitimate hopes of further Championship success, eventually petered out to a disappointing finale, despite a convincing victory in the last game in Wiltshire.

The Championship campaign had got off to a promising start at Bournemouth where a magnificent innings of 240 by Arul Suppiah paved the way for a convincing success.  Misfortune with the weather at Bovey Tracey where the final day was lost when Devon were well placed against the eventual winners of the Western Division Cheshire and an impressive victory in Oxfordshire were followed by disappointing results at Exmouth where we were outplayed by Shropshire and Torquay where we were spared from defeat at the hands of Berkshire by a spirited last-wicket stand between Ian Bishop and Arwyn Jones.

   We finished in second place in the Division, nine points behind Cheshire and whilst it might be felt that we were denied by the rain at Bovey Tracey, it is worth pointing out that six counties in the Division acquired more batting bonus points than Devon, a situation which has not been customary in recent times.

   Our last appearance in the C&G Trophy and its predecessors, after 33 matches and 14 Man of the Match Awards, was unfortunately not one of our more impressive performances in the Competition and proved to be rather a tame swan song. To some extent this was not surprising, given that the fixture was scheduled for May, the day after the one possible opportunity for match practice against a club side from Warwickshire.

   The proliferation of international cricket and its consequent effect upon fixture schedules, not it must be said, the fault of ECB, together with the requirement to accommodate the First Class County Twenty/20 Competition, caused the removal of the C&G from its former midsummer slot which suited Minor Counties far better. It can be argued in these circumstances that Minor Counties' absence from the competition is of little consequence but I suspect that, in the longer term, disconnection of the First Class Counties from the rest will not be in the best interest of the game. Fairytale scenarios such as Manchester United v Exeter City or, dare I say it, Devon v Leicestershire in the same year, will no longer be possible to attract the cricketing public in areas of the country where First Class professional cricket is not played.

It was interesting to note that a number of letters to the Press expressing criticism of the change originated from correspondents based in First Class County areas.

   I mentioned in last year's report that we were hoping, by way of compensation for the loss of C&G fixtures, to introduce some 20/Twenty cricket with First Class opponents. The inaugural match against Warwickshire at Exmouth in June proved to be a great success, assisted by the sort of weather that cricket always craves but is seldom granted and we are grateful to Roger Newman who was the instigator of this initiative.

   Somerset CCC are to visit both Cornwall and Devon for warm up games in advance of the defence of their National Title of 20/Twenty Champions and we expect this game to be both a major attraction and a significant income raising exercise.

   Peter Anderson, newly retired as Somerset's chief executive, is applying his considerable expertise to assisting in the promotion of this game and we are hopeful that support will be sufficiently strong to justify the anticipated retention of this fixture for several years ahead. As I write plans are also in hand, but are yet to be finalised, for the county to entertain Gloucestershire CCC, also in June.  

   As for the KO Competition for the third successive year we were eliminated at the first hurdle. Not this time by way of a “bowl out”, but as narrow losers (by 1 wicket) of a low scoring contest on a poor wicket at Falmouth, where two powerful batting sides were both hard pressed to pass 150.

   With regard to its future format the following extract is taken from the minutes of last year's annual meeting;

    MCCA KO to its previous Group format, the Hon Secretary explained that MCCA were making strong representations to ECB over this matter following the announcement of the removal, with effect from the 2006 season, of the Minor County participants in the C&G Trophy, with the resultant further reduction in fixtures. MCCA's submission to the ECB Strategic Plan for cricket 2006 to 2009 pointed out to ECB that recent changes in the structure of the C&G competition had resulted in the share in match fees relating to non First Class Counties dwindling from £153K(2003), £81K(2004), £30K(2005) to Nil (2006). The reinstatement of the previous KO format represented good value if a worthwhile playing programme were to be maintained and should be regarded as a matter of urgent priority”.

I am delighted to be able to report that MCCA's exhortations to ECB have not fallen on deaf ears with the result that the previous Group format has been restored for the coming season, with the four Group winners contesting the Semi Finals. The Final is scheduled to take place at Lord's on August 16 th . All counties will be assured of a minimum of four games. I hope that this reversion to the format in which Devon had frequently been so successful will in future result in our interest in the competition being prolonged beyond the first match! In any event the balance between three-day and one-day cricket will be restored to a more satisfactory level.

   Further change in the system of financing Minor County cricket is also imminent. With effect from the 2006 season, on an increasing scale to 2009, there will be a switch from Fixed Fee Payments (FFP's) towards Incentive Fee Payments (IFP's) based upon the average age of teams fielded. Counties who field sides with an average age in excess of 26 will be penalised although a concession has been made for 2006 whereby the two oldest players will be excluded from the calculations, which will be made by MCCA on a match-by-match basis. By 2009 those failing to observe this condition will find that it will be to their significant cost. A further factor which cannot be overlooked is ECB's requirement of MCCA that it should provide a suitable “Player Pathway” for young cricketers aspiring to a career in the professional game.

   A number of First Class Counties are being forced to operate with a contracting 2 nd XI fixture list and MCCA's three day programme is uniquely placed to fill the gap. In the longer term the operation of an exclusively parochial selection policy will no longer be possible if ECB funding is to be maintained but this consideration does not signal a sudden rush to populate the County side with “imports”. Arul Suppiah's emergence at Somerset, after committing himself to Devon as strongly as anyone, is an example of how this policy can work and those fortunate enough to witness his innings at Dean Park will understand that it played a significant part in his acceleration into the 1 st XI at Taunton.

   Strictures of this nature inevitably place a greater emphasis upon the need to obtain commercial sponsorship and, largely by way of the initiative of Roger Newman, we have secured significant arrangements up to and including 2008 with both the Clydesdale Bank and Boundary Sports.

   Clydesdale, whose move into Devon is already proving to be extremely successful, have intimated that they intend to play an active role in the arrangement which we look forward to being of mutual benefit. The news that Colin Stone, a former playing colleague at Exmouth, has been appointed to deal with matters locally on the Bank's behalf is a welcome bonus.

   Boundary Sports have been well known in this area for many years and are providing a generous package of kit to the county squad.

  Any support which can be given to these companies will be as welcome to us as it will be to them and we thank them for all that they have been able to do so far.

   We are also grateful to MJ Baker Foodservice who have readily supported our activities whenever possible and we look forward to a developing relationship with the Company.

   Sad news at Christmas of the passing of former committee man and North Devon area selector Bert Bullivant was followed in February by the loss of Bernard Steward. Bert was a popular and reliable colleague who regularly made the awkward journey from the northern area of the county to meetings and matches on his motor cycle and was always thankful to be able to secure a lift whenever Tony Allin was available to play.

   Bernard took over in 1983 as Devon's first “in house” hon treasurer from our bankers who had previously provided a “volunteer” member of staff to fill the post and he occupied the office with great diligence until 1991 when he moved to Oxford to be near his family.

   He continued his interest in Devon's fortunes, until in recent times failing health prevented him from doing so, and he and Sonia renewed acquaintance with former colleagues whenever we were playing in the Oxford area. We extend our sincere sympathy to Sonia and her three sons and also to Jean Bullivant.

   Members will recall that, having followed Bernard up the M5 as far as Wiltshire last year for similar family and health reasons, our President Derek Cole (pictured, below right) advised us of his intention to relinquish office when a suitable successor could be identified.

   No words of mine can adequately do justice to the enormity of his contribution to Devon cricket over a period so lengthy that for many it spans an era that almost exceeds living memory

   Captaincy of the MCCA Representative XI against several overseas Touring sides, more than 8000 runs and 450 wickets for the County, are testament to his widespread reputation as a magnificent cricketer but, unusually in cases of individuals of such special talent, a distinguished playing career spelt only the beginning of an influential involvement in Devon cricket that has endured until the present.

   Some 25 years ago as Chairman of the Club he was light years ahead of his time in setting up the structure of the County Committee in such a way that it proved to be virtually a template for the system of County Boards favoured by the ECB today. Minor change only was therefore required here and Devon was spared the problems of amalgamation experienced in many Counties elsewhere.

    His wise counsel and unwavering support for all those Officers fortunate enough to serve with him during his time as Chairman, and latterly as president, will be sorely missed. Together with our grateful thanks for such an outstanding input into Devon cricket, which commenced with the last County Colts fixture played before the 2 nd World War, we wish him a speedy return to full fitness and we hope that he will be able to support Devon in person whenever we play in Wiltshire.

   Derek will of course be a hard act to follow, but he himself has proposed a successor with a stature and reputation powerful enough to take over the mantle and we are delighted to advise that David Shepherd MBE, (below) newly retired from his international umpiring commitments, has agreed to allow his name to be placed before the AGM for consideration for election as our new president. He will need no introduction to cricket fans (or anybody else!) anywhere in the world and it is entirely fitting Derek should be succeeded by a true Devonian protégé of his own time as captain.

   After 50 matches for Devon and selection for the MCCA Representative XI against the 1964 Australians, David's achievements in the professional game as a player with Gloucestershire and as a leading international umpire with six World Cups (including three finals) to his name are well documented and I hope a healthy attendance will be in evidence at the annual to welcome him into office.

He assures me that there is no truth in the rumour emanating from sources close to the Torridge Estuary that he is pursuing an intensive training course in preparation for the forthcoming North Devon and District Allcomers Open Skipping Championships! There will, therefore, be time for some cricket.

   We were sorry that Roger Newman, having already made a flying start to the resumption of his active career with Devon by introducing the substantial arrangements referred to earlier, was struck down by illness partway through the season. In his coaching role his rapport with the players was soon apparent and up to the time of his indisposition results had been very encouraging. We are hopeful that by the start of the season he will be able to resume where he left off.

   I wish to record, with particular reference to the extensive commitment to publicising our affairs of Conrad Sutcliffe, our appreciation of the labours of all who contribute, as ever, to the operation of county cricket in Devon, many unsung but no less important for that.

 They deserve reciprocal backing in matters of consideration and conduct from all who benefit from their voluntary efforts and steps have been taken during the winter to address the matter of effecting an improvement in this direction.

   I know that the chairman, supported by his fellow officers, is anxious to ensure that standards are not allowed to fall short of the levels of acceptance which the proud reputation of Devon cricket deserves.

   May the season prove to be an enjoyable one for everyone with the prospect in store of a bit more one-day excitement than we have had in recent times.

GEOFF EVANS