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2017 was another successful year for the Devon Lions, which is one ti er down
in the player pathway from the full Devon County men’s 1st XI and follows on
from the age group cricket organised by the DCB.
The aim of Devon Lions remains to identi fy and develop the next generati on
of DCCC players and it was therefore very pleasing to see a signifi cant
number of those involved within the Devon Lions set up represent the county
at the highest level during 2017. This included Hugo Whitlock, Tom Ansell,
Joe Thompson, George Benton and Toby Codd.
Matt Skeemer, who had an excellent season with the ball for the Devon Lions
in 2017, won this year’s Devon Lions’ Player of the Year award.
The season did not start too well with a lack lustre performance against a
strong Exeter University side at Exeter. In the games against Gloucestershire
CCC, Waterkloof HS and Somerset CCC, we had strong passages of play, but
were not able to sustain these to create positi ve results. Those who played in
these games will have benefi tt ed greatly from the test.
For the fi rst ti me in the history of the Devon Lions initi ati ve, we beat a strong
Warwickshire Academy side at Torquay. This was a milestone result, as we
have now beaten all of the fi rst-class oppositi on that we have faced. Thank
you again to the clubs who off ered their faciliti es to host these important
fi xtures.
Upon reviewing the positi on aft er the 2017 season, we agreed to enhance
our commitment to educati ng and preparing the players about physical
conditi oning and reaffi rming its importance. This has been diffi cult with lack
of player availability in the close season and therefore we will be more acti ve
throughout the coming playing season, within the club environment. We are
very fortunate to have Oli Whitt on, leading the strength and conditi oning side
of the Devon Lions set-up.
In 2017, we reverted to bringing in an experienced captain to marshall the
young talent and assist with the development of their tacti cal skills. Richard
Foan, who represented the 1st XI many ti mes in the past, kindly off ered to
lead the team and this was very benefi cial.
Moving forwards, we will be looking to work even closer with DCL clubs to
maintain the progression of the emerging players in that environment and
also to identi fy additi onal players who have the potenti al to represent the
county at the highest level. It has shown that this is not restricted just to the
Premier or A Division clubs. It is vitally important that emerging players use
their Saturday cricket to press claims for selecti on in the Devon Lions.
A big thank you to the support team who respond to the needs of the
individuals and challenge the players to be the best they can. Dave Tall joined
the support team in 2017 and has fi tt ed in well to the set-up. This volunteer
team take their rewards from seeing the players’ performances improve and
for some progress into the 1st XI. Many thanks also to the David Shepherd
Trust, the County and Michael Cunliff e for their generous funding support.
As with the 2017 close season, a high number of our players are overseas
or at universiti es too far away from the South West to travel back. This has
reduced the contact ti me we have with the players, but those who are
around received 1-2-1 sessions held at the Devon Cricket Centre.
We have an exciti ng summer programme of fi xtures in 2018 and again
welcome the whole Devon cricket family to come and support the hungriest
and most talented young players, who will represent the county and wear the
lion with pride.
Tim Western, Director of the Devon Lions
The Devon Lions
Victorious Devon Lions who beat Warwickshire CCC Academy in 2017.
Back: Tim Western (Coach), Dave Tall (Coach), Dan Wolf, Richard Ashworth,
Joe Hagan-Burt, Joe Thompson, Matt Skeemer, Dan Goodey, Hal Kerton,
Peter Langford (Scorer)
Front: Matt Petherbridge, George Allen, Richard Foan, Justi n Yau, Toby Codd