The logistics all organised Monday 15th arrived, mini bus collected and it’s off on the trek to Essex for our ECB CC National Quarter Final match! On arrival at Exeter Services it became clear by the amazing number of people there that it was going to be busy but that was an understatement. We queued over Salisbury Plain, on the M3 and for most of the M25, where working out which planes were landing at Heathrow, their velocity and where they had come from was the name of the game in the transit whilst the mini bus crew Face booked and sang, before we finally arrived at the Campanile Basildon at about 8.15PM having left Plymouth at 11.45AM! Rooms allocated it was then an evening meal and bed.

Well breakfasted and a photo for the Campanile Twitter feed and we’re off to Billericay CC for the match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On arrival we found a magnificent ground and set up, completely different to anything we have in Devon. The warm up went well particularly the fielding with Cookie hitting massive high catches, but I was slightly concerned the bowling was not up to our normal standards. The lads wanted to bowl, Cookie and I would have batted, and JOG duly won the toss and we asked Essex to bat. We knew a little about them, they had some very good batters, a couple of good opening bowlers and spinners and we were soon to find out how good!

Kersley, as is often the case, if he doesn’t quite get it right first ball/ over can struggle and today was one of those days. JOG had wide issues first over as the ball swung too and so it wasn’t the best of starts 17 after 2. JOG got into his rhythm though and the introduction of Els, who immediately bowled two maidens, he bowled straight and just back of a length, and assisted by Deggy and outstanding fielding, for instance Bryon uprooting the stumps at one stage Tayls diving and one handed stopping a definite four, we started to claw things back. At drinks 79-0 off 17 overs.  Woody replaced Els and Carps had a bowl too but it was not until AB had a bowl, old golden arm, did we get our first real chance when he bowled Jones 64. 17 runs later he had Sheemar 65 Essex’s Captain out very well caught by JOG at mid on. Essex 156-2 in the 31st over. The Essex batters generally timed the ball beautifully and hit the ball powerfully, like men. That became 158-3 when Carps bowled Rymeel behind his legs. With their start Essex really should have gone onto 300+ but the fielding continued to be outstanding and along with disciplined bowling and excellent field placings, Devon chipped away at the Essex batsmen. Dobs was having a great match behind the stumps and he got another victim when Saps had Sullivan caught behind and 3 more wickets then fell, two to AB and the third to Saps, thanks to a great catch by Woody, Essex 193-7 off 38. That became 21-8 when AB got his five for; a very fine performance by our U14 who ended up with figures of 8-0-40-5; five wickets to add to the two he had already taken this season for no runs! Deggy then fresh from his drink monitor duties came back on and took the last two wicket Essex all out 228 in the 45th over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a fantastic fight back by the Devon lads, which showed what great team spirit they have and what an excellent fielding and bowling unit they have become; something they should be very proud of and which received just praise from a number of the Essex parents watching. It was helped by the beautiful quick outfield as the payers were able to trust the bounce. It was brilliant lads one of if not the best fielding displays in my 17 years! It was also helped by Cookie and I sitting in the same place for all the wickets and Derek similarly standing in the same place as we didn’t wish to upset our luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So to tea and then lets try and win this match as we get nothing for coming second. Els and Deggy opened and there was quite a bit of playing and missing but they then get into their job and with Els screaming at Deggy to run, who can do it Deggy, the score started to tick along until Deggy nicked one behind 30-1 in the seventh. AB joined Els and they put on a 49 partnership in 19 overs before Els (37) was bowled off stump by the impressive Sheemer. 79-2 off 26. We’re still in this. That became 86-3 when Saps played a horrid shot and was caught at long off, unnecessary Saps and who have to learn ( I think I have written that previously) and that became 98-4 when AB’s stint at the cease ended when the also impressive Mukhtar got one to spin and AB was stumped. One run later Byron, who has had wretched luck this year but who adds so much to the teamby his spirt and fielding, top edged a sweep and was caught. 99-5 in the 32nd. The game was slipping away… Sam Carpenter was then run out, 105-6 and then Bob Whittaker was caught 123-7. We bat deep but it was a nevertheless a big ask, an understatement! A 30 partnership between Dobs and Tayls (37) before Dobs is run out JOG played back and is bowled and Kers is last out LBW, 170 all out in the 47th over and our innings, season and journey came to an abrupt halt at 5.20PM Tuesday 16th August!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had lost by 58 runs, just one more run an over lads; so close but the team's nemesis their batting had had the last say, it’s funny in cricket and life how these things happen, against a very good Essex side who we wish well in the Finals next week.

So we had a brief chat, you should be so proud that was a brilliant fielding display and fight back and you should also reflect on how far you have come individually and as a team over these last 2 years. Reaching the National Quarter Finals was a fitting achievement; something you would not have dreamed of doing 2 years ago. Make sure you learn from your mistakes and enjoy the under 16s and 17s. I will be watching!

So the long journey home, much better than the journey up; Fleet services for tea, did you spend all your money Tayls?; then Tiverton and Exeter services, thanks and bye to Cookie for your help; a detour around Haldon Hill to Chudleigh, then Ivybridge and final Hartley Plymouth, before home at 12.40am unload and to bed dead on 1.00PM. A long two days!

So thank you the Campanile Basildon; Essex and Billericay CC for hosting us, the ground man for an excellent pitch and beautiful outfield; the umpires, Wendy and her colleague for scoring, Derek for his support and helping Wendy and all the parents, guardian and relatives for travelling all the way and supporting the lads - not just yesterday but over the last two seasons. Thank you Carol and Chris for organising some of the home teas, Heathcoat will be remembered Chris and collecting match fees etc. Thank you Cookie for helping out with Nick in Maderia, the text was red hot all day but not as hot as the Funchal hills after the horrific fires. Nick thank you for the last five years, it's been good fun and I await the invitation!

Finally that’s it - my last match report (I still have to put the season to bed and hand over to Webby) and I must admit to welling up as I type this. It has been a great (most of the time) 20 years involvement with Devon Youth cricket - 17 as a manager/ coach. It is time for change and I always said I would give up when I could no longer do something I would ask a player to do in the field and the body is not just creaking! I have made many friends and I hope I have helped a few lads and for that lasses on their journey not just cricket but life too - a few feathers towards those “Wings to fly” Webby! Bye..

 

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