Devon U15s v Hampshire Seaton CC Sunday 7th August 2016
All aboard the roller coaster!
Waking to find heavy drizzle/ rain in Plymouth was not great but if the forecast was to be believed it would be fine in Seaton. It stopped raining heavily around Ashburton but we had light rain on and off for the remainder of our journey. Nick had deserted us for the National T20.
A very warm welcome from all at Seaton and when Peter exposed the pitch it had tinges of green and if we won the toss we fancied a bowl. James Onley-Gregson had damaged a finger so he suggested Sam took over the captaincy for the day, which he did and won the toss and we asked Hampshire to bat.
Kersley, on his home ground and James bowled tidily and Hampshire batted cautiously to get used to the pitch when in the 9th over Kers got Ayers to miss time a shot, at times the ball slightly stuck in the surface, and was well caught by Deggy, over his head at mid off. Hampshire 25-1. We should have then had Dhariwal caught but we let him off; let’s hope it’s not expensive like last Wednesday! Elliott replace JOG and Deggy subsequently replaced Kers and in his 3rd over Middleton rashly charged Degg and was well stumped by James Doble, keeping in place of Tayls. 47-2 in the 17th. Almost immediately Pardoe chipped Degg to Sutton 51-3. We must not let this slip lads! A stand of 21 before Sam Woodcock has Southon caught behind and three runs later Lewis is caught behind of Degg. Hampshire 75-5 off 27. Woody then bowls South and Carps takes the first of two very sharp slip catches to dismiss Trussler off Woody. 98-7. All the time Dhariwal has continued his innings when on 62 he takes on AB who up roots the stumps from side on! Carps then takes his second catch of Woody and AB has his first bowl and conjures up a wicket with a full toss! Hampshire all out 43.1 overs 108.
A tremendous effort lads, one of your best bowling and fielding displays of the season and for that last year too! Whilst the pitch did at times have some irregular bounce and take spin it did not really have any real demons, as Dhariwal had shown; we had been here before, if we could apply ourselves then 109 should be obtainable. What had been interesting was that there had been a wicket the over before both drinks break, it better not continue and every time Nigel Adams got out of his seat!!
After a splendid tea, Deggy had been off the field feeling ill, drink more lads, Dobs and Elliott opened. Dobs was going to bat down the order but volunteered to still open and Elliott replaced Deggy. Unfortunately Dobs run of form continued, your keeping was excellent Dobs, but Els and AB dug in and took the score along to 33 when AB miss timed a shot and was caught. 40-2 off 17. Saps who was distracted (we have the pictures Saps -circle of concentration and for that everyone!), thought he could win the game in a couple of overs, learn Saps, missed a ball which turned slightly and was bowled. 51-3 off 19. Slight panic in the management and supporters ranks but have faith! Where was Nick when you needed him, oh yes getting thrashed in Newport!! Max joined Els who was showing real grit and determination (see what you can do lads!), and they put on 26 before Max again missed a ball that turned slightly. We have got to get forward, use your feet if necessary and cover the ball and your stumps! 77-4 off 29. Els who in the circumstance played a magnificent innings, including one lovely cover drive, then disappointingly chipped to short mid off and Deggy thought he would give us all more grey hair when he nicked off to Pardoe. Leave the ball Deggy including when you open! 93-6 off 34. All the time Sam Taylor was quietly batting responsibly, one beautiful drive along the floor for four, and helped by Byron they saw Devon home in the 38th over. Devon 109-6 winning by 4 wickets. Interestingly the trend continued a wicket in the over before drinks!! Circle of concentration lads!!
Thanks you Seaton CC, Mrs Anderson, Jenny, Cliff et al for a magnificent spread, Peter and your helper for preparing the ground and everyone else at Seaton for a splendid day. Thank you the umpires and the scorers and all the parents’ relatives and guardian for your support! It has been quite a journey this last two years; lots of ups and downs; a real roller coaster (I hate roller coasters!) and its not over yet and I was not counting on that! Honestly well done lads. Believe and apply yourselves - you never know what can happen!
So now the fun begins. If Gloucestershire beat Oxfordshire then we will both have 17 points and it will be down to the net run rate! Uploaded the result and later Sunday evening the NRR is applied and we are second and it appears away to Essex! No Nick he will be in Maderia and one or two of the lads may be abroad too- never mind we will cope. Better buy some quells!.
