At last a group that have fully brought into the Devon ethos. This was the first time this summer, at sixteens, that the side started to reach the required standards essential for 2017. This group was an interesting mixture, including for the first time this summer a reasonable representation of the fifteens and fourteens. They all made a good impression and fitted in well. It was therefore reassuring that there will be real competition for places not just this winter but for next summer. It is every players prerogative to decide how they approach their county age group cricket but at this level there are some requirements that are simply not negotiable and up until the trip to Cannock we have witnessed but not accepted players being late, not listening, a lack of interest and intensity in warm ups and fielding exercises and not understanding the importance of the team ethos. There have been other noticeable traits such as selfishness which is an important ingredient in some young aspiring cricketers but it has to be tailored to the benefit of the whole. Realistically Devon's success over the years has been the ability of their sides to work together, the successful sides are normally stronger than their component parts. With such an approach the actual balance of the side is vital and may result in some talented players who do not necessarily agree with such a philosophy not being selected. Traffic again was dreadful and despite leaving on time, an hour eariler than normal, it still took five hours to reach Staffordshire. A closure on the M6 was a major contributory factor as a early detour through Wolverhampton was undertaken to avoid, successfully, the lengthy tailback.
Devon arrived at the Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club with the mini-bus requiring special attention to gain access. This week the club was also being used for the England Hockey age group Midland Trials Some of the Worcestershire contingent attracted interest from our younger players. The conditions were overcast and oppressive indeed ideal seam bowling conditions add in a long moist outfield this was a more important toss to win and the Captain failed and Devon would bat. This would be an interesting exercise as the general consensus of the players was to bat and here was their opportunity! Abraham Kopparambil, back in the side after a successful Under 15 campaign, opened with Leon Horn and the pair put on an unlucky thirteen after six overs when first Horn was bowled and seven balls later Kopparambil was also back on the balcony with Devon fifteen for two. The Exeter pairing of Jamie Khan, now nearly over his wrist sprain but an essential member of the side, and Ben Sapiecha who had impressed in the T20 added fifty-eight. Although this was the first of Sandy Allen's tick list it should have been even better if the pair had batted longer than their one hundred and nine balls. Sapiecha's contribution was twenty-five but in 2017 he needs to be hungrier and looking at three figures. Khan was reassuringly looking good and he then featured in the innings best partnership with Under 14 skipper Jack Moore. For the second match Moore was confronted with a difficult pre lunch twenty minutes. Lunch was taken, curry, with Devon on ninety-three for three just off a par 120-3. The Coach had met up with one of his UOE players now hockey captain at the club and it seemed to have been a mutually enjoyable catch-up. The UOE are fortunate to have Sandy now looking after their cricket on a permanent basis and he is wished success and enjoyment when he starts at the Sports Park next month. Moore and Khan built on their partnership post lunch taking Devon up to two short of the notional first batting point. Moore was out in the forty-eighth over eight short of a maiden fifty. The pair had put on seventy-five and had recovered their sides position. Unfortunately from 148-4 Devon fell away badly, not a new occurrence this summer. Key batter Jamie Khan went six balls later for fifty-seven that had taken his personal tally for the season to an impressive 512 just eighty-eight runs short of the highest individual aggregate for a season by Neil Bettiss in 2000. He is however only the second batter after Bettiss to score 500 runs in a season, the next best being Chris Read on 440 in 1994. The best partnership of the final five was between the Gibbs brothers putting on eighteen. The reason for minimum partnerships of ten has still not been grasped! Devon were all out in the sixty-sixth over on one hundred and eighty-six. Even taking into account the bowler friendly conditions this was a sub-standard return - under three an over. However all was forgiven as the best fielding performance was put on over the remaining twenty-two overs. This was high quality stuff, tremendous activity all round -led by keeper Morison the team ran between overs -well sprinted, the ball was retuned at pace to the keeper - every ball and the side was exerting real pressure through authentic intensity. Compared with previous fielding performances and the decision by some not to undertake these fundamental requirement this was a fantastic period. The players left the field for a short rain break but the real disappointment was that the home side would not have any suitable adults after 6.00pm and they were therefore unable to provide the duty of care. Discussions were held about starting earlier the next day to make up the overs and this was declined by us so it was reluctantly agreed that if there was a potential result we would stay on until 7.00pm - a decision regretted almost immediately! Two wickets were taken by the two opening bowlers both bowled and good, economical and encouraging spells were undertaken by Simmons and Sutton - both looked bowlers good enough for next year. After twenty-two overs Staffordshire had scored at just over twos. The sides social secretary, George Gibbs, had considered many ideas for the sides last evening together. He discounted the coaches suggestion of a Murder Mystery, although it was believed Sandy had an ulterior motive for the proposed victim and Songs from the Shows although the SS had an above knowledge on potential tunes that surprised the proposer. He decided on a Quiz and delegated this to Horn, Khan and Yabsley and to everyone's surprise and their great credit they came up with the goods and it added to the final meal. The squad winners were the under 14s.
More traffic jams another diversion and we were not too late at the ground. The second day was almost the total opposite to the first with wall to wall sunshine, high temperatures and the outfield had been cut. Tiredness can play an important part in players contributions and one of the objectives of going away before the seventeens season is to demonstrate its affect whether through exertion on the field or limited sleep. The latter is not acceptable if it is self inflicted. Sandy reported a tired squad and chose Plan B the most intensive warm up possible. Such a decision clearly shows which players have the right attitude and overall this group were truly exceptional even if some had difficulties with the instructions. This was the pre match preparation to end the season on a real high and received complementary comments by a totally independent observer. This was the standard required and the group proved it is possible, in 2017 nothing less will be acceptable or indeed tolerated..
The days play was not a great advert for cricket. The home side reached lunch , baked potatoes, on one hundred and fifty-eight for four. Devon had bowled forty-two overs, Staffs had scored at 2.69. Chris Yabsley, the senior pro of the side, took the two wickets both inside four balls, a leg before and caught Khan. After thirty-nine overs the home side were 98-4 and Devon on top. Staffordshire took first innings lead in the seventy-first over, still four down and it was anticipated that the home side would turn the screw and maximise their chances of an outright win. As we had against Somerset they failed to accelerate and get to the nominal fourth batting point as soon as possible. Horn caught and bowled the home side's captain Davis two short of his fifty in the seventy-fourth over 196-5. The partnership had yielded one hundred runs. The opportunity was taken to speak to all our players both old and new to discuss the season and the future and this proved most beneficial. It was interesting to speak to the fourteens and fifteens in particular and much was learnt.. The new ball was taken in the eightieth over and it brought an immediate result when keeper Morison held his opposite number Wilcox off Gibbs. There was a general view that the batsman had been fortunate to sill be at the crease when on twenty apparently his helmet rubbed with something simultaneously with the ball passing his outside edge going through to the keeper to be caught in front of first slip. He was out for a one hundred and forty-two ball sixty. Staffs were now on 226-6 off eighty. We were advised that they were going for three hundred and then bowl again, the message went out to let them get them by tea! In fact the captain, an independent character, chose to try and bowl them out with his own leg side theory - Jardine and Larwood would have approved well not the latter as he did not agree with the approach. Creasey had Mack well caught at short leg by Khan and it nearly worked a few balls later this time off the captain. Creasey then knocked Hussains stump back and it looked like the captain would be proved right. However tea was taken with Staffs still twenty-five runs short of three hundred with eight wickets down. They were still scoring at less than threes and at the same time severely reducing the number of overs left in the day. Hopefully the importance of batting tempo would now be fully understood by the Devon batsmen for 2017. It took the home side another seven overs to reach three hundred and in the final over that batting points are available they reached their target - finishing on three and over. Devon would have to bat for forty some overs if hands were not shaken earlier. This was an opportunity for some batting practice and one batsman to get nearer six hundred for the season. Alternately, as was the secret fear here was the prospect for the side to fold. It was a combination with three important stands for the fourth, sixth and unbeaten seventh wickets. Both openers were showering by the third over 11-2. Ben Sapiecha had another chance to show his ability but was caught in the fourth over and given a minor send off which would indicate something! Jamie Khan was now the batsman who could take Devon up and beyond the one hundred an thirteen needed for Staffs to bat again in his natural free flowing way or it could be a dog fight. Unfortunately it was the fight. He first put on twenty-seven with the impressive Jack Moore taking Devon up to forty-nine in the fifteenth over but the Thorverton batsman was caught for seven. He should be exceedingly pleased with his summer and a decent average of around 58 which if confirmed will place him at six in the charts between Martin Gear and Richard Baggs. Morison got off the mark but could not stay with his under fourteen captain and Devon were back in some real trouble on the dreaded 58-5. The sides outstanding Captain Jack Gibbs, now trailed by three first class counties, now took root and proved he is the all-rounder the side needs. He and Moore put on a critical forty-two in forty-four minutes but importantly using up seventy-seven balls. Gibbs lost Moore to a disappointing shot six short of his second potential fifty of the match. The Barnstaple batsman has the ability to provide the batting stability that this side needs and add in his energy he could prove to be over the next three years an important member of the side. He does need to understand that he should not be happy with forty but with one hundred and forty. Enter Tom Simmons whose batting we had discussed earlier in the day and he stayed with the captain until Devon went into the black and the seventeen overs of the last hour had been bowled and the nod came! It was now past seven and four hours on road even if conditions were good. Fortunately the journey to Gordano's was trouble free the captain departed to one of his first class counties with real thanks and appreciation for what he has achieved. We also lost our social secretary, George Gibbs, whose presence over the last two weeks has been as important as anyone's. With fractured fingers, thumbs, bad knees, flu symptoms et alia it had been a difficult time but George had been truly exceptional. It is hoped he now will really believe what he can achieve on the cricket field. No pizzas so it was fish and chips again and the end of the season was now approaching. This had been an interesting one but we now know that we will have sufficient players with the right attitude and desire to start the one day programme in June.
