2018 will be an exciti ng year for the squad,
with a change in the formats of the Minor
County Competi ti ons. The introducti on of
a new T20 competi ti on is something that
has been a discussed at length, and the
format will see us plays 4 rounds against
our closest neighbours. Home games at
Sidmouth and Instow will provide us with a
great opportunity to play some entertaining
cricket on good wickets, and hopefully draw
a crowd. The introducti on of coloured kit
is a welcome change, although some of the
bowlers may not be saying the same about the white ball!
Due to the close geographical nature of the group games, and the
competi ti on being played on Sundays, it is expected that we will have a
strong squad to pick from. I am confi dent that the shortened format will
suit us very well. We have a dynamic squad, with plenty of guys who can
produce match-winning performances with bat and ball. If we can get
our preparati on and approach right we should be very hard to beat.
It will be parti cularly important for us to start well, as the short format
is unforgiving. The game be made won or lost in 2-3 good or bad
overs, and it will be a challenge for us to ensure that we hit the ground
running. This was something that we did brilliantly last year beati ng
strong Hampshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire second teams in our
preseason games.
For the T20 competi ti on to take place, something has had to give way,
which has meant a change in the set up of the 50 over K.O trophy. This
has turned into a straight knock out competi ti on, and with only 5 rounds.
Having reached the quarter and semi fi nals in the last two years, and
with the squad only getti ng stronger it is a competi ti on that we will be
looking to go the distance in.
With regards to the Championship we have conti nued to improve, with
only one loss 2017, in which we clinched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Our table positi on of fi ft h with 2 wins and 3 draws was a fair refl ecti on
of the season as a whole. In every outi ng we had dominant sessions as
a team, and strong individual performances. However as so oft en is the
case in cricket, one bad session cost us the opportunity to win, or meant
fi ghti ng for a draw. We played well in our fi nal game of the season against
a Berkshire, who following this won the Championship fi nal. We were
unable to bowl the table toppers out in the 4th innings, and they showed
a tough edge to ensure they did not lose their 2 year unbeaten run.
Our one loss was the most brutal example of our ability to fi ght ourselves
out of a corner, and then when in a winning positi on do the impossible.
Having batt led from a positi on where Oxfordshire had a lead of 153, with
9 wickets in hand in the third innings, we did brilliantly to bowl them out
to set ourselves a target of 244 to win. This would have been the highest
innings total of the game, and following our below par fi rst innings the
odds were in their favour. However we were confi dent, and rightly so
as we played well get ourselves to 228-5, with two batt ers set at the
crease. The pitch was fl at, and the oppositi on had all but given up, with
their part ti me spinner on. We then proceeded to lose 5 wickets for 9
runs, and were bowled out 4 runs short. This win would have meant we
fi nished two points behind second place Cheshire, and our fi nal game of
the season verses top of the Table Berkshire would have given us a shot
at a place in the Championship fi nal.
Our challenge this year is to convert winning positi ons into wins, and be
ruthless when we are on top. There is litt le in the skill level between the
top sides, and we are not far off being a side that can challenging year
in year out for the ti tle. That mental att ribute to get us over the line is
what we have to develop this year, and hopefully put us a positi on to be
challenging for trophies.
Josh Bess
Captain’s Column
10