The Under 16 2016 Season

Played             12           Won              5          Lost     4        Drawn   3

v Gloucestershire  at Sidmouth CC. – Devon lost by 12 runs

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

214-7

 

DEVON

202

(J.Khan 57)

 

 

 

v Haberdashers Aske at Axminster C.C.. – Devon won by 22 runs

DEVON

242-7

(B.Abrahams 79, J.Lathwell 33*)

HABERDASHERS

220

(C.Yabsley 3-40, B.Hayes 3-27, B.Abrahams 3-35)

 

 

 

v Cornwall at Exmouth C.C. – Devon won by 6 wickets

CORNWALL

242

(C.Yabsley 3-32, B.Abrahams 3-28)

DEVON

244-4

(J.Khan 116*)

 

 

 

v Coventry Under 19s (2 day) at Brixham C.C. – Match Drawn

COVENTRY

266

(K.Szymanski 3-67, J.Gibbs 3-28)

 

172-3 dec

 

DEVON

173-5

(J.Bovey 63, L.Horn 35)

 

171-3

(A.Causey 67, J.Bovey 66*)

 

 

 

v Cornwall at St Austell C.C.. – Devon won by 3 wickets

CORNWALL

116

 

DEVON

117-7

(A.Causey 30)

 

 

 

v Somerset at Exmouth C.C - Devon won by 5 wickets

SOMERSET

185

(J.Gibbs 7-31)

 

173

(K.Szymanski 5-47)

DEVON

302-4 dec

(J.Khan 88, J.Bovey 101*, L.Horn 40)

 

57-5

 

 

v Surrey (T20) at Exeter C.C. – Devon won by 28 runs

DEVON

169-8

(J.Khan 54, B.Rudolph 39)

SURREY

141

(C.Yabsley 3-24, A.Causey 4-12)

 

 

 

v Surrey (2 Day) at Exeter C.C. – Devon lost on 1st innings

DEVON

264

(A.Causey 38, J.Bovey 59, J.Lathwell 64, T.Williams 37)

 

176-6

(T.Williams 32, J.Lathwell 52, T.Oxland 36*)

SURREY

369-5 dec

 

 

 

 

v Coventry Under 19s at Coventry & North Warwick C.C. – Devon lost by 2 wickets

DEVON

248

(J.Khan 93, J.Lathwell 65)

COVENTRY

249-8

(A.Causey 3-44, A.Creasey 3-56)

 

 

 

v Nottinghamshire EPP at Attenborough C.C. – Devon lost by 105 runs

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

257-9

(A.Creasey 3-29)

DEVON

152

(J.Lathwell 37, L.Horn 31)

 

 

 

v Nottinghamshire EPP at Attenborough C.C. – Devon lost by 55 runs

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

333-6

 

DEVON

278

(L.Horn 31, J.Lathwell 98)

 

 

 

v Staffordshire (2 day) at  Cannock C.C. – Devon lost on 1st innings

DEVON

187

(J.Khan 59, J.Moore 42)

 

116-6

(J.Moore 44, J.Gibbs 31*)

STAFFORDSHIRE

300-8 dec

(A.Creasey 3-50)

 

The 2016 Squad

J.Gibbs (captain), B.Abrahams, J.Bovey, A.Causey, A.Creasey, F.Ford, G.Gibbs, B.Hayes, L.Horn, J.Khan, A.Kopparambil, J.Lathwell, J.Moore, L.Morison, T.Oxland, W.Oxland, M.Parker, B.Sapiecha, T.Simmons, K.Sutton, K.Szymanski, S.Taylor, T.Williams, C.Yabsley.

Having given a reasonable time for reflection on the 2016 Season it really should surprise no one that it was not a particularly successful one. One cannot recall any previous side that would, if they were to lose seven reasonably talented cricketers for the whole or part of a season, survive such a huge loss. The fact that two were former captains reinforces the reality that not only an entirely new leadership team was required for the summer but a new central core had to be formed.

This was not an easy year and the frustration started the week before it had even started when the first game of the summer was altered, at Gloucestershire's suggestion, from a two-day game to a one-day affair. This was a disappointment as the players were deprived of two days' cricket on one of Devon's finest grounds. As it turned out the weather for the proposed first day was one of the better ones of recent weeks but the forecast for the second day was fog! Indeed thick mist was present at the ground for most of the morning and at times it perhaps did indeed become fog as the scoreboard was often not fully visible. For the second successive game of the 2016 Under 16/17 season two sensible umpires kept the game flowing and no time was lost. This was Jack Gibbs debut as Captain and all summer he led the side exceptionally well when his under 17 commitments allowed and he solved one of the potentially major problems of the season. With some players still involved in GSCEs there were three under 14s in the side and Tom Oxland returned to the county scene. Coach Sandy Allen put the side through their paces but the general standard of ground fielding and catching showed an urgent need of improvement to reach the standard required at this level. Unfortunately although there was an improvement over the season this remains a real area of concern.  Gibbs won his first toss and invited Gloucestershire to bat. The openers took the score up to five short of three figures when in the first over after the half way point Ben Hayes, with his eighth delivery caught and bowled their captain, Helmke. By the twenty-fifth over Gibbs had employed himself, Parker, Horn, Creasey and Hayes. Chances were being created but not taken and it was evident that such a vital element in any teams success was not up to our standard. The second Gloucestershire pairing put on thirty-two when in the thirty-fourth over Hayes took his second wicket with a catch from Horn. The fielder was to miss another opportunity as two catches off successive balls from Abrahams were shelled. The off spinner did take a wicket off the last ball of the fortieth over with James Bovey taking the catch to remove Tryfonos for his side's highest score - 75. Gloucestershire were 152-4 as the same combination sent Senior back to the thatched pavilion. Under-14 off-spinner all-rounder, also on debut, Freddie Ford was bowling in tandem with Abrahams. Devon now needed to tighten the screw. In fact over the next ten overs the visitors scored 63 runs off the 60 balls, They lost three more wickets. The captain took two having Findley-Wilson caught behind by Under-14 keeper Louis Morrison, who put on an excellent performance in his first appearance behind the stumps not conceding a bye. Gibbs then flattened Stone's stump to leave his opponents and future Academy 184-6. The seventh wicket put on twenty-nine off thirty balls when Parker bowled Slade. Devon would have to chase 215 with playing conditions now rapidly improving with the sun out! Just over four an over with a short boundary was considered a very gettable target but a couple of batsmen would have to bat on. Chicken pie and a selection of bread and butter, chocolate and crumble was an excellent lunch.

In fact Devon kept up with the rate until the final overs but not one of the five batsmen that got in batted on, this was really irritating. The openers Jamie Khan and Abraham Kopparambil put on fifty-six before the Under 14 Kopparambil fresh from his maiden county hundred chipped Stone to cover. Khan and Bovey occupied the crease for nearly half an hour and appeared well set when Bovey tried a big shot only to hole out. James would need understand that his role along with the other top and middle order batsmen is to play long innings not cameos and hundreds should be all their objectives. In his case his first came at Exmouth one of only two scored all summer. Oxland applied himself in a partnership of 45 with Khan and it appeared Devon, subject to sensible batting, were on the way to a comfortable win. Khan passed his first county 50 of the summer but seven runs later was the third Devonian to be caught. Jamie had batted really well, batting with real authority and aggression. He was to become the sides outstanding batsman of the season. When he was dismissed Devon needed another 85 runs and there had been a personal hundred for the taking, again that was to come a few weeks later. Unfortunately this good position was lost. This was despite the fact that the captain and Oxland added 28 with Gibbs using the long handle, to be dropped five times and Oxland the lap and sweep most effectively. Gibbs, after hitting a four and a six gave his sixth chance and this time it was accepted. Devon lost three wickets in four balls for just one run. The theory behind the need of minimum partnerships of ten could not have been demonstrated better. Oxland was caught behind and Morrison leg before. Despite now being six down the required rate had not changed needing fifty-five off eighty-two at virtually the same rate as at the beginning of the innings. Abrahams and Freddie Ford then demonstrated what was required putting on a sensible 15 off 31 balls with no problems whatsoever. For the sixth time this summer in under16/17 cricket a run out ended what was a promising partnership. Ford was run out backing up at the non strikers end by a direct hit from a diving Helmke. Hopefully he will underside the importance of self preservation and learn from this experience. What was particularly frustrating was he and his partner had looked in no difficulty leaving the ball well and rotating the strike. Leon Horn and Hayes were Devon's sixth and seventh batters to be caught but it was perhaps too much to expect the final pairing of Ben Abrahams and Parker to take the home side to their first win of the season. They did take Gloucestershire to the final over requiring a near impossible 19 but off the third ball Parker was the seventh run out victim of the summer with Devon still 13 short. The last wicket pairing in putting on 20 off thirty-five balls and again being in no real difficulty had again shown the ingredients of how this match could have been won. This was the highest tenth wicket partnership of the summer. This game had been REALLY FUSTRATING! Overall it was useful that a game had been played at all when it had looked in doubt, lessons had to be learnt and the under sixteens season had now started. Colin Whitehall and Gill Hodge could not have done more for us and were exemplary hosts.

It transpired that the access to the Axminster ground had changed over the past twelve month and is now through the new housing development and it did create some problems. Appropriately the first two cars at the ground forr the annual match against Haberdashers came from North Devon and deepest South Devon who were both present well in advance of the 10.00am pre match start time. Even a suggestion in the dressing room that it was now ten past ten did not spark the needed response and it was another seven minutes before the players eventually ambled out. This had been totally unexpected and unacceptably although the coach did point out that some School Proms had been held the previous night. Of the selected side nine had previously represented either the sixteens or seventeens so they should have known what was expected. The pre match preparation was the worst in a quarter of a century, players returned to the dressing room after throw downs to text and rest up. The actual throw downs would have disappointed a club under 13 side serving no useful purpose and there was a total lack of energy and equally importantly a desire to warm up even one questioned the curtailment of the football - quite an extraordinary approach from players who would shortly be playing for a place in the squad. One hugely disappointing aspect of the summer was that although there was some improvement in pre match preparation the standard only on a couple of occasions actually reached the standard required. There was more excitement in the Axminster town centre as the road network had been closed and traffic had come to a halt at noon as Police were seizing a substantial amount of cannabis from the former Axe Vale Social Club in Chard Street. As there was an extensive amount of equipment and plants to be removed from the property, which spread over three floors, this took some time. With Gibbs playing earlier in the week for the 17s Leon Horn was now in charge losing his first toss but getting his way as his side were inserted. Jamie Khan and Ashley Causey opened. Second ball Khan spooned up a simple catch 0-1. Ben Abrahams fresh from a hospital visit joined Causey and the pair batted well together putting on seventy-one. The Bovey first teamer departed off the second ball of the seventeenth over leg before after scoring twenty-nine, Abrahams contribution to the stand had been two less. At the end of the eleventh over the score had been forty-two for one of which both batsman had scored 14 which was also the number of extras. This was a first for the scorer who had got very excited! Under 15 keeper batsmen Sam Taylor, on debut, was bowled first ball, a disappointing start for the Bovey player but he will have an important part to play over the next couple of summers. After sixteen and a half overs Devon were 71-3 with a lot of ground still to make up. They had been scoring at just under fours. Ben Abraham who was again taking his opportunity with the bat was now joined by the captain and the pair put on eighty-eight off nineteen overs increasing the run rate. After thirty-five overs Devon lost their fourth wicket when the captain was run out. It got even worse seven balls later as young Louis Morrison was run out in a very similar but totally undesirable manner. At that early stage of the summer this was the tenth Devon run out of the summer and we had yet to achieve one. The situation improved over the remainder of the summer but it still ended 15/8. The inability to communicate is a critical flaw that should not be a problem at this level. To lose two important batsmen in this way within such a short time is simply unacceptable. To his great credit Abrahams did his best to make up for these two errors and he was now six runs past his fifty with Devon five down with one six one on the board. Tom Williams, on his first appearance of the summer, then joined Abrahams scoring fifteen in a partnership of twenty-nine and he demonstrated his importance to the side as an all-rounder. He fell in the forty-first over. Once again the minimum partnership of ten went by the board as on the same score Abrahams was bowled for an excellent seventy-nine. He had batted for one hundred and forty-five minutes facing one hundred and thirty-one balls. This was a personal best but he should have been eying up the first under 16 century of the summer and realistically he should have taken this opportunity to score a maiden county ton. He did however make a most important contribution. Fortunately Jamie Lathwell looked in sublime form as the left hander scored at a strike rate of 113.79 the best of the innings. He stroked five fours in his undefeated thirty-three in his unbeaten partnership of fifty-two off fifty-six deliverers with Ben Hayes. This undefeated partnership was the highest eighth wicket return of the summer. The pair appeared to become confused as to how the side were going to achieve their targets as they sometimes tried too hard to smite the ball whereas a more subtle approach would have resulted in a better return than a run a ball which would have set a target of 260 plus. However the final product of 242 was acceptable but perhaps just par. Pasta Bolognese and fruit salad and cream was well received and Devon prepared to defend the just under five an over required.

Sandy Allen had watched our opponents the previous day and was aware of their danger men. Lathwell and Adam Creasey opened up both going for less than five but the pressure was taken off the batsmen by wides. Two an over from the pavilion end which is something that required major attention. In all seventeen wides were bowled nearly three extra overs. Chris Yabsley, on his first county appearance of the summer, entered the attack bowling economically often from around the wicket. He took three wickets in his ten over spell. It was Ben Hayes who for the second successive game took the first wicket in the thirteenth over and this was thanks to the first of fine three catches by Tom Williams. It was Sam Taylor, who fielded well throughout the game, who took the second catch of the innings again of Ben Hayes. After twenty overs the School were 81-2. The dangerous visitors captain, Harris, was the next to fall caught by the Sandford all-rounder off Yabsley. At the half way stage they were four down four short of the hundred. Nelson struck in the twenty-eighth over when Yabsley bowled the keeper batsman Willis. Horn was utilising his varied spin attack well. With Williams now bowling from the town end, traffic now flowing, twenty-six were added for the sixth wicket when Williams took his wicket thanks to another catch this time from Jamie Khan. The openers had put on fifty-eight but the second highest partnership of the visitors innings was the fifty-five that Kaye and Rasakulasuriar contributed for the seventh wicket in thirty minutes off sixty-five deliveries. Ben Abrahams now struck in the forty-fourth over bowling Kaye for thirty. Devon were fielding to a very high standard with Ashley Causey patrolling exceptionally the furthest boundary confirming what a fine all round fielder he is. The final three wickets added twenty-eight off four overs and although a couple of stumping opportunities were not taken the side should be generally pleased with their performance in the field. Morison made amends stumping Lawrence to give Abrahams his second wicket, The captain's catch gave Hayes his third wicket and Jamie Khan's second catch was Ben Abrahams third victim. The visitors were twenty-two short with fifteen balls unused so ended a close encounter. Leon Horn received deserved plaudits for the manner he managed his side. Devon must learn the importance of discipline and standards before they embark on the next part of their education. Axminster were splendid their outstanding Chairman Peter Kiy omnipresent. Cornwall were our next opponents.

The Devon Under 17s had met up the previous evening, at Gordano's, with the Cornwall Under 17s so we knew their sixteen's would be with us at Exmouth in what was turning into a summer of fixture uncertainty, which was a major relief! Sandy Allen had been up at dawn to make sure the pitch for the third home game of the summer was in its normal tip top condition and the forecast was for sunny periods. After the Haberdahers debacle the players were on time and compiled perfectly with Sandy's time table and there were no complaints when the football was brought to a conclusion. Undoubtedly there is more talent with the feet in this group than in most years and this does not take into account the loss of Michael Cooper who is making good progress at Home Park. This was the anniversary of his last county cricket match. The pre match preparations approached the minimum standard required at this level. Leon Horn won the toss and fielded on the basis that if any period of the game, the first hour was likely to be the most difficult of the day. Matt Parker, in sadly his last county appearance of the summer as an old injury had reared its ugly head, opened from the pavilion end and Jamie Lathwell at the sea end. Lathwell struck with the final ball of his first over having Orpe caught by Williams. Tom Williams and Leon Horn ended up as the leading catchers of the summer with eight apiece. With the fifth ball of his fourth over Lathwell bowled the second opener Adams leaving Cornwall 26-2. The third wicket pairing of captain Alex Bone and Piren Kent put on one hundred and twenty-two in sixty-seven minutes off one hundred and forty-three balls. Devon looked distinctly average in the field as Horn employed Williams, Creasey, Yabsley and himself. It was the introduction of Chris Yabsley that turned the tide as with his fifth legal ball he had Kent stumped by Tom Oxland, on his season's keeping debut, for 52 -148-3. Cornwall were now well placed to set a very competitive target. However four balls later the captain struck with a catch from Jamie Khan that removed Cornwall's top scorer and captain, the last, at least for this generation, in the long line of Bones. A reasonable target now still appeared likely as the fifth wicket put on another forty-eight when Yabsley bowled Brenton in the forty-first over. In fact over the remaining nine overs Cornwall lost the remainder of their side with the addition of just forty-four runs. Oxland took his second stumping this time off Ben Abrahams, that bowler then caught Lello off Yabsley, Horn and Abrahams removed Lealthey who had made such an impression in last year's fixture, Chris Yabsley returned the compliment to Abrahams and Sam Taylor's smart fielding gave the 16/17s their first run out of the summer. The final total of 241 required a chase at just under fives. Baked potatoes proved very successful plus an outstanding bread and butter pudding with custard.

Ashley Causey and Jamie Khan put on 50 in eleven overs when Lello bowled the Bovey batsman. The second wicket partnership of James Bovey and Khan put on eighty-one in forty-three minutes, Khan contributed fifty-two and Bovey twenty-nine. Bovey was out in the twenty-five over so at the half-way stage Devon needed a further one hundred and ten runs so they had paced their chase well. Ben Abrahams fell in the twenty-eighth over -141-3. Sam Taylor appeared to loose patients when in fact this was a glorious opportunity for him to demonstrate what he has to offer. He was stumped twelfth ball - 150-5. Fortunately Khan was creating a stir at the other end. In the past Jamie Khan has excited and exasperated his admirers in equal measure but this summer there were very few who could in any way be disappointed by his performances ending with an average of nearly 60. He completed another stunning innings going on to score his maiden county hundred. He did ride his luck giving a couple of chances but he timed the ball brilliantly and showed sensible shot selection. Over the summer he imposed the necessary self restraint to demonstrate what an outstanding prospect he now is. His rugby tour ruled him out of the Under 17 three day programme and he was a huge loss. With the captain he added an unbeaten ninety-four off just seventy deliveries in thirty-nine minutes. Another season's best this time for the fifth wicket. Leon Horn contributed twenty-five and Khan forty-four. Khan had faced 125 balls in his 141 minutes at the crease hitting 19 fours in the seasons highest individual score of the season. Devon achieved their objective in the forty-second over scoring at just under sixes- this was a most accomplished performance.

One of the more annoying aspects of this group was their ability to talk a very good game, some with strong opinions and views. This is of course brilliant provided they can also actually walk the walk. Over the summer and particularly in the next game against Coventry Under 19s they showed a naivety and that they cannot actually execute either their own or the coaches game plans. It was important that they realised this and for the rest of the summer we were far more prescriptive in what was asked. This started in the second innings and although the go at 4-6 an over and not worry about the result ended in a rate of just 3.56 there was an improvement in intent but the batsmen still showed certain limitations. However overall the approach from the batsman was much better and importantly they were much more positive. It is also vital that the side now understood it has lost some outstanding talent and as a group they need to compensate for the outstanding contributions over the years made by those no longer involved. It was reassuring that this view did come from the players. Provided the players actually do listen and apply it was hoped there would be a marked improvement over the remainder of the summer. This objective was only partially achieved but the glib cliché response to a question did substantially reduce.

Brixham had kindly agreed to host our two day game with Coventry, they are a club that are keen to put on county age group matches, sadly now one of a reducing number. This was their first ever two day game and they were magnificent, even providing the best two days weather of 2016. With the reduction in under 16 county fixtures Coventry Under 19s entered the fixture list for the first time last summer and sadly they are only continuing for one more season. Both in 2015 and this summer they have provided us with a competitive one day game and last year asked if they could play a two day match. It was agreed on a 60 overs first innings format. This worked well, Jack Gibbs spun incorrectly so Coventry won the toss and batted. Their openers put on eighteen when in the tenth over the captain struck  with an outstanding diving slip catch from Ashley Causey, a natural close to the wicket fielder. Eighteen balls and two extras later the second opener Chatta was Ben Hayes first victim with James Bovey taking the second neat catch. The third wicket pairing of Miller and Searle added one hundred and nine off one hundred and forty-three balls. This was Coventry's highest partnership of the game. The visitors with one hundred and forty-four balls remaining were scoring at three and a half an over. Miller was bowled by Chris Yabsley who was again proving to be the most economical of the spinners. He proved to be the seasons most economical slow bowler going at 3.54 an over. His return of eighteen wickets was the second best of the summer. Coventry utilised all of the remaining balls being all out on the last. They added one hundred and thirty-seven nearly six an over. Their final product of 266 would require Devon to score at least 4.43 an over to take a first innings lead. The wickets were shared around with Tom Oxland taking two catches both off Kazi Szymanski. Jamie Lathwell caught Randel off Hayes, Chris Yabsley bowled Delaney and the incredibly economical Jack Gibbs bowled both his last two victims. His fourteen overs went for just twenty-eight. An excellent tea was taken, lunch had been a splendid sweet and sour chicken with a delicious chocolate and caramel something. Devon had a minimum of forty overs before close of play and this would be excellent preparation for next summer. Unfortunately they lost two early wickets and after fourteen balls  were 5-2 as both Causey and Abrahams were out caught. Fortunately James Bovey and Kazi Szymanski added fifty but in the twenty-fifth over Szymanski departed. Their partnership took eighty-one minutes and was off one hundred and thirty-six balls. Bovey and Leon Horn took Devon up to close of play with Devon on 102-3 off forty overs with Bovey now past his fifty. Three figures had been the Coaches drinks target so this had been achieved. The pair took their partnership on the second day up to seventy-four when James Bovey departed for sixty-three off one thirty-six balls. Here was an ideal opportunity for him to score his first hundred as the Coaches white board wish list now includes at least one individual hundred. Unfortunately Sandy Allen was again unable to tick this vital box. James Bovey had batted well but as with all our batsmen must understand with the three day game approaching they should be not just looking at three figures but going on to big hundreds. It will be up to them to take on board this key message. When he departed there were still seventy-three balls remaining. Devon were now 129-4 and soon 138-4 as Horn was the run out of this innings. There is no benefit in commenting further but a hesitation, irrespective of the validity of the call, cost Devon another significant wicket. Jamie Lathwell and Tom Oxland utilised the remaining fifty balls scoring thirty-five runs. The game plan of the players at the beginning of this session was to score at sixes, Devon scored at just 3.55. The opportunity throughout the rest of the summer was to reinforce the message about keeping it simple, gaps, rotation of the strike, running and ways of being positive that do not require wild swipes at the ball with no contact. We will only know if the message has been absorbed in 2017 but it has to be implemented if we are to have a reasonable summer. The dots mounted up and totalled for the not full morning session alone 86 - over fourteen overs! At lunch pasta carbonara was enjoyed with seconds and the chocolate and ice cream thing with Coventry on 25-0 off eight overs. They declared after thirty-three and a half overs setting Devon two hundred and sixty-five off a minimum of forty-six overs - a rate of 5.76 which would be the highest of the match. Coventry lost three wickets in setting their target Jack Gibbs who had experienced problems with the sun in the first innings taking two typical catches off Szymanski and Yabsley. Ben Abrahams, an outstanding fielder, took an exceptional catch off the captain.

The first prescriptive message of the summer was issued before the Devon second innings was commenced. Let us go at between four and six an over in any way that works for you. There was no answer given to the question are we going to try to win the match- the scorer will start her maths classes at St Austell - 4x 46 (actually 48 were bowled) = 184 (192), 6x 46 = 276 (288). Tom Williams was caught in the fifth over 15-1 but Causey and Bovey then added one hundred and fourteen off one hundred and seventy-nine balls (tick inserted and the best second wicket partnership of 2016). Although the proposed run rate of four was only hit for around twelve overs. Both batsmen passed fifty (another tick) with Causey, an outstanding all-round talent, showed everyone what he can and should offer this side before being stumped for a hundred ball 67. Ben Abrahams batted for half an hour scoring thirteen. On Abrahams demise Will Oxland, who helped out the side for the remainder of the summer and proved a popular addition, was unbeaten on three. A kind fielder relieved him of his mobile which apparently he takes even to the wicket. Meanwhile James Bovey compiled a second sixty bringing his match aggregate to one hundred and twenty-nine. This had been an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience for the longer game. Brixham were brilliant and it is understood that  Coventry thoroughly enjoyed their time on the English Riviera.

The problems with match day logistics continued into our next the return with Cornwall. This game was played at St Austell which has not been our most successful Cornish ground with regard the weather but in 2017 provided both sides with an interesting contest. We were only alerted to the venue on our way down to Redruth, the publicised venue, for an overnight stop The heavy rain earlier in the week and the rain encountered on the overnight trip from Taunton to Redruth and indeed on the morning of the game did not help the home club in their preparations but it was disappointing that the track had apparently not been covered overnight. Reassuring was the fact that, despite the late notification in venue, the full complement from Devon were at the ground by the appointed time even if our opponents were not. An impromptu discussion was held on the season so far and thoughts for the remaining eleven days of the summer. The Clubhouse was opened and Sandy Allen requested a delayed start in order that his warm up could be completed. This was agreed and play started at eleven fifteen after Leon Horn had invited his opponents to bat. Jamie Lathwell struck in his second over with a fine catch from Tom Williams 6-1. Lathwell's opening partner Ben Hayes struck nineteen balls later taking the important wicket of the home sides captain Alex Bone caught behind by Tom Oxland 11-2. Another key wicket was the removal of Toby May who was run out by Jamie Lathwell. At last in this season of above average run out dismissals at sixteens and seventeens of Devon batsmen both the sixteens and seventeens have started to change the balance, indeed they needed too! From 27-3 it became 56-4 in the nineteenth over with yet another run out this time from Chris Yabsley. It was Yabsley the bowler who took the next wicket when the captain caught Bolland who was Cornwall's top scorer with 17 - that is apart from an incredibly disappointing forty-one extras 35% of the home sides total. Tom Oxland caught Adams to give Williams his first wicket - 72-6. One run later Williams took his second catch off Yabsley - 73-7. Devon were trying hard now to bowl out their opponents for under a hundred. They failed as eighteen runs were added for the eighth and fourteen for the tenth. Freddie Ford belatedly entered the attack in the thirty-third over and Chris Yabsley took his second catch this time off Ford. Yabsley was picking up Fantasy Points as if there was no tomorrow. Ford's well flighted off breaks then removed Netherway with another good catch from Abrahams at short fine leg 97-9. Williams trapped Mitchell in front of the final ball of the forty-sixth over -and Nelson had struck again in runs but Cornwall had also benefitted from five penalty runs.

Devon needed to score at 2.24 an over to win and needed some sensible batting on a pitch, despite sunshine, that was not getting any easier. Williams and Causey put on twelve, Khan back, fortunately fit from his successful rugby tour lasted ten balls 18-2, Ben Abrahams two balls -18-3. This was a really disappointing start as application was needed and fortunately was being provided by Ashley Causey. He was joined by Will Oxland, minus his phone and the pair added a critical thirty-five that turned the tide. It was disappointing when Oxland departed in the sixteenth over but the tide had now turned. Devon needed fifty-nine with two hundred and four balls left and six wickets in hand. Causey was anchoring this innings brilliantly then he had a totally unnecessary rush of blood to be stumped for a sixty-two ball thirty. As Sandy Allen suggested he could and should have been in at the end. Jamie Lathwell gave a return catch to Whiteford and Devon were taking two steps forward and one back, 64-6. Fortunately Tom Oxland and Ben Hayes nearly played it by the book as they took Devon up to 116 when Hayes was leg before. The pair had put on a match changing fifty-two off one hundred and nine balls and both batted really sensibly. Freddie Ford had been waiting patiently for forty-eight minutes then strode to the crease and with consummate skill leg glanced the winning run off his first ball. Application in the end had won. The learning curve continued it would increase over the remaining three weeks of the summer. The Captain learnt some hard truths about the responsibilities of captaincy but will be wiser for the experience. He had led an unbeaten side. St Austell, as always looked after us exceedingly well and the sun shone.

With Somerset Under Seventeens playing their Surrey counterparts four days out of five in their one and three day semi-finals our opponents were unable to consider their better under sixteens but to honour the fixture they fielded a predominately under fourteen and fifteen side with indeed two players coming up from Cornwall. We were also to play a couple of Cornishmen in Nottinghamshire! The weather for the game was excellent and this would be a much less pressurised opportunity of developing our own longer format skills. Somerset won the toss and batted. Jack Gibbs struck in the sixth over bowling Press, his opening partner Szymanski took his first wicket in the ninth over with that safe pair of hands Ashley Causey making another catch look easy. From 26-2 Somerset progressed to 67-3 after Yabsley had the oppositions captain keeper, Reed, caught behind by Tom Oxland. Devon bowled thirty-seven overs in the first session of the day and their visitors were nine short of one hundred. Post lunch. in the forty-third over Somerset had progressed to one hundred and fourteen when Leon Horn bowled Hall. Cornwall's Lewis Goldsworthy was batting beautifully and had to sit back and watch a major change in his sides fortunes. The transformation was the result of a remarkable spell from the home sides captain. With Somerset on one hundred and fifty Gibbs bowled Samuel, seventeen balls later be bowled Aldridge, he then removed Toohey and Draper in successive balls both also bowled. This was the first hat trick in Under Sixteen history and was an amazing spell of bowling as balls were left by batsmen only for stumps to be knocked back. Somerset had been reduced to 165-9 but Goldsmith and Green then started to dent Gibb's figures until the captain bowled Green in the fifty-eight over. Goldworthy was unbeaten on 76. Gibbs had taken, in this spell, six wickets off twenty-five deliveries for twelve runs and he finished with the truly remarkable figures of 11.1-2-31-7, the second best return in under sixteen cricket.

Devon would now have fifty overs before close of play to make a large indentation in Somerset's final score of one hundred and eighty-five. Devon reached tea on 37-0 off ten overs. The fifty came up in fifteen overs but fifteen runs later in the twentieth over Causey was bowled by Goldsworthy, an equally talented bowler. Jamie Khan and James Bovey took Devon up to three figures in the thirty-first over and secured the first notional batting point in the forty-five over. It was hoped that the pair would remain in place until close of play. Unfortunately Khan was bowled by Hall in the forty-seventh over with one hundred and sixty-five on the board. He was twelve short of a second successive hundred at Exmouth. The pair had added one hundred in seventy-minutes. Ben Abrahams joined Bovey and at close Devon were fourteen short of a first innings lead. There was apparently a local Exeter barbecue as the pavilion was invaded with fist pumps. It was, however, good to catch up with Tom Lammonby and learn how he was progressing. The plan on the second day was to take the lead and reach the fourth batting point as quickly as possible and have as many overs as possible to bowl their opponents out and chase.

The first session of the second days did not go to plan. It took just twenty-three balls to take the lead and then Devon should have gone all guns blazing to get to three hundred as quickly as possible. The captain was keen to have at least twenty minutes bowling at Somerset before lunch. Considering the situation the run rate was disappointing. It took fifty-four balls to reach batting point two. Ben Abrahams was leg before to Draper in the sixty-fourth over with Devon scoring at under three an over. Horn joined Bovey who was now past his fifty which had taken one hundred and twenty-four deliveries. Drinks were taken with Devon on two hundred and twenty with the message we needed to score at between four and six an over (again!). In fact over the partnership of eighty-nine in sixty-one minutes off one hundred and thirty-one balls eighty-one were dots which disappointingly showed very little intent. Indeed once a maiden was faced it was time for Devon to get into whites. In the competitive world, let alone the friendly one, not to utilise nearly fourteen overs is simply not acceptable. The situation was complicated as an important personal milestone was on the horizon. The maiden was the seventy-five over of the innings and James Bovey was on eighty-four. It is hoped that in a competitive match this situation would not have arisen as it is likely that a glove would have gone out with a message that a declaration was imminent. This would have given the captain the twenty minutes he wanted. As it was the batsman faced another sixty-six deliveries to add forty-one runs, most certainly not the four to six an over. In fact during the course of the entire pre lunch session Devon did not get near the minimum of four an over that should have been considered the lowest acceptable rate against this young opposition. Undesirably the run rate graph remained the same, after an initial burst on the first day. This unfortunately just confirmed our inability to accelerate and utilise as many balls as possible and will be a major problem for this side in 2017.It simply will not be tolerated. James Bovey reached his maiden county hundred in the eighty-five over seven minutes before lunch. He had faced one hundred and eighty-six balls in three and a quarter hours at the crease. He was unbeaten on one hundred and one hitting twelve fours and this is a massive milestone for any player. Horn was stumped off the last ball of the eighty-sixth over ten short of fifty. He had faced seventy-four balls in a stay of one minute over the hour. Baked potatoes with bread and butter pudding at Roger Tolchards request - this is his last County Age Group match before he returns to the Midlands. He has been one of Devon's outstanding umpires which is remarkable in itself as he has had to rely on his colleagues with regard the match day regulations! He will be a huge loss to the County.

Devon were now in catch up mode and even had entered into discussions with the opposition with regard an early closure as the game meandered as twelve minutes before tea Somerset were on 94-3 after thirty-one overs. Press had been dismissed by Gibbs for the second time caught behind, Thirty-one had been added for the second wicket when Kazi Szymanski struck in the fifteenth over bowling Wyatt. Goldsworthy and Reed added thirty-nine when Szymanski caught and bowled Reed. Twelve were added for the fourth wicket then Tom Williams removed Goldsworthy the vital wicket of the innings. At tea Somerset were on 100-4 with the game appearing to go nowhere. The fifth wicket added forty-nine and took Somerset to quarter to five on one hundred and forty-three when the fifth wicket fell. As in the first innings Somerset then fell down like a pack of cards to be bowled out at seventeen minutes past five, fifty-seven ahead with twelve overs left in the day. Abrahams picked up two wickets Szymanski three more to take his return to 5-47 off fourteen and Gibbs took his ninth wicket of the game again bowled. Devon had seventy-two balls, more than enough deliveries (4.75) to chase this down but somehow got into a mess. Fortunately Jamie Khan kept his head as he watched Devon loose five wickets in getting home, he was unbeaten on thirty-seven and Tom Oxland picked up another red inker. There were many disappointments in a game that is unlikely to be the hardest test this group will have or are likely to face. Devon were actually put under real pressure in their final hour's chase. It is important that individuals taste personnel success in order that they are better prepared when they are in similar situations in the future and they will know what is then required. This was the final day of the summer at Exmouth and they had been amazing hosts all year.

The T20 with Surrey was a very successful new venture at the outstanding redeveloped Exeter ground. With Surrey travelling up to play a two day game with the sixteens it was suggested the afternoon before be utilised and the T20 was the result. This was a very busy week for the sixteens and unfortunately the fifteen and fourteens programmes meant we could not look at potential 2017 players. We did bring in the Under 17s leadership team of Billy Rudolph and Harvey Sargent in the hope that the standards required at this level could be seen by the players at first hand. They both did an excellent job and it was sad to pay a final farewell to then both after the game even if one was off the Newquay. Sandy Allen ran the most intensive warm up of the summer and still some of the squad did not buy into it and respond with the required intensity. Following Ben Hayes side injury Ben Sapiecha kindly agreed to cut short his holiday on the North Devon coast to join us - he did well. The was the end of Hayes season and he had made useful contributions. Billy Rudolph won his last CAG toss and batted. Harvey Sargent and Ashley Causey reformed their opening partnership that had produced fifty-eight runs in 2015. In 2016 they shared in a partnership of fifteen. Harvey Sargent fresh from a successful outing with Northampton Twos was first out although Devon were three down ten runs later. The captain joined Jamie Khan and the pair put on a truly exceptional ninety-one off just fifty-three balls in thirty-six minutes of the best batting of this type of the summer. Amongst the many Rudolph traits is his outstanding running between the wickets and he was here to demonstrate this quality to the others. Jamie Khan was forced to go to areas not previously explored this summer and to his great credit the pair ran beautifully together. Without Lammonby this side lacks a runner role model. This shortcoming was clearly evident all summer but particularly over the previous two days against Somerset when balls were just patted back without the inclination or desire to convert into singles, let alone twos and threes. Khan was first to go, he had again demonstrated his ability to change a match in an innings of just forty-three minutes facing twenty-nine balls scoring at a strike rate of 186.21 in reaching fifty-four. Devon were now on 116-4 after thirteen overs and Sandy Allen was calculating a final score. Such calculations are fraught with danger as they are dependent on so many unknowns but he was actually nearly right. Rudolph ran Horn ragged and then watched him depart - 133-5 in the fifteenth. The captain was out next over 138-6, it really is vital that the side take on how easy it is to run well. Sapiecha was impressing but watched Devon lose Oxland and Williams in reaching one six four but with Ben Abrahams he took Devon up to a final and competitive 169-8. Rudolph scored thirty-nine, Sargent, Sapiecha and Oxland reached double figures. With a ten minute turnaround Devon were soon in the field to defend the eight and a half an over.

Devon put on the best fielding performance of the Under 16 summer supporting their bowlers magnificently, who in turn performed out of their skins! Initially it was all Surrey as their openers put on forty-four in just nine minutes off twenty-four deliveries. Boys (a player!) made the visitors top score of 26 was first to fall neatly stumped by Oxland off James Bovey. Chris Yabsley then took the next three wickets in a space of ten deliveries taking a return catch from Geddes and with the help of Horn removing the second opener Aravinthan. Finally he enticed Genella to hit his own wicket - a first for the scorer in over forty years! If Chris Yabsley is not available for the 2017 One Day programme he will be a huge loss as he is an important member of the side, more useful than perhaps he actually understands. The Londoners had fallen away in eighteen balls from 44-0 to 64-4. The fourth wicket fell in only the seventh over. Jamie Khan with a well judged underarm flick then ran out Ratnasabapathy - Surrey were 86-5 at the half way stage. The captain who was ringing the changes then caught and bowled Bhat and thoughts turned to a win! The Surrey under 17s had called up Prince to their semi-final at Taunton to cover a potential concussion but he now was back in Exeter and was unbeaten on nineteen as Ashley Causey cleaned up the four remaining wickets - with catches from Khan and Bovey, a caught and bowled and he bowled the visitors last man. This really had been a most encouraging performance as the sides main strike bowlers had been rested. The Bovey pair of Yabsley 3-24 and Causey 4-12 had bowled extraordinarily well. It had been enjoyable to sample the new Exeter and the deserved compliments flowed about Devon's performance which had been simply outstanding. It was  essential that some key messages about intensity, pressure, running and tight fielding had been taken on board - and apparently a number of young Devonian cricketers were heading to Boardmasters in Newquay.

This busy week continued and after two reasonably easy days on Monday and Tuesday, a hectic but beneficial T20 the previous day it was time for the annual two day game with the Surrey Academy eleven. This is always one of the more difficult fixtures of the summer but always a useful one. Under fourteen captain Jack Moore made his debut and it was Kazi Szymanski's last game of the summer before Newcastle beckoned. Sam Maunder was due to play but his hip was still playing up so Tom Oxland very kindly agreed yet again to keep wicket so Maunder could test his hips elsewhere. Both the Oxland brothers were brilliant in helping Devon out over a season where twenty-four players represented the Under 16s, possible a sign of the times but far too many if the objective of under 16 cricket is to be achieved. We were back at the outstanding Exeter ground and we are delighted that they have now become one of our Championship three day grounds. The day did not start well with the season's outstanding batsmen Jamie Khan leaving for a scan on a painful wrist which transpired to be a nasty sprain. This injury had important consequences on this game and the two against Nottinghamshire the following week. His conversation is significantly above average and this was a most definite plus but did not outweigh his loss to the side. Jack Gibbs won the toss and Ashley Causey and James Bovey, who were both to sustain fractures in their hands over the next few days, opened and put on an outstanding ninety-five. It was a shame they did not register a century opening partnership. This was the highest opening partnership of the summer which in itself was a disappointment. Successful sides need sound foundations and a prerequisite is for large, preferably century, opening partnerships. This is very important as it tends to enable the rest of the side to build a number of storeys on the openers footings. Causey, who really has the ability to bat longer than he tends to, was bowled by Boys in the twenty-fourth over having contributed another thirty - this time two short of forty. Ashley Causey is another central member of this squad and we have real hopes that in 2017 he will blossom to full bud. James Bovey had reached his fifty the previous ball. Ben Abrahams, who has made so many useful contributions and proved to be so versatile. We still have to discover his correct role in this side - off spinner, top order batsman or indeed an all rounder then joined his Exeter club mate Bovey. They took Devon up to one hundred and two when in the thirty-first over Abrahams was caught by Aravinthan off Hadfield. This created a difficult pre lunch twenty-three balls for Jack Moore and James Bovey. They navigated this potentially tricky situation to take Devon to lunch on 110-2 - very much a par score for both sides. Bovey was undefeated on fifty-six.

Curry and cheesecake for lunch but unfortunately Moore was caught and bowled Singh third ball after the interval - 110-3. Seventeen balls later Bovey was caught behind to give Boys his second wicket. He had scored fifty-nine off one hundred and fourteen balls in four minutes over two hours with twenty-eight runs scored in fours. A major problem this summer which was to continue is the inability to build meaningful partnerships. Sandy Allen asks every game for one of a hundred and two of at least fifty. Over the summer in seventeen (par for the programme 17 century and 35 fifty) opportunities four century and seventeen fifty partnerships were built. Not the most scientific of statistics but it does indicate that this is a box that does not get ticked that often. This and other aspects of this review could be construed as being negative whereas they are intended to be totally the opposite and constructive, reinforcing the messages of 2016. Unless this situation does improve the side will really struggle to get the vital large team totals needed at this level. A strapped Jamie Khan joined Kazi Szymanski and completed an innings that will create nightmares for this attacking batsman twenty-one dots, two scoring shots and increased agony to the wrist. He was bowled in the forty-sixth over - 138-5. Devon now had their backs to the wall, Szymanski fell next stumped - one hundred and sixty-one for six off fifty-one overs. Fortunately Tom Williams and Jamie Lathwell got their heads down and provided the second fifty plus partnership of the day. They took Devon to tea on two hundred and forty with Williams on twenty-two and Lathwell on sixty-four a partnership of seventy-nine. An outstanding performance from these two all-rounder's. The tea interval came at the wrong time and in fact destroyed the home side's chance of posting a reasonable total. First ball after tea Lathwell was caught off Boys, next ball captain Gibbs was caught behind, Oxland avoided the hat trick. Devon now were 240-8. Williams and Oxland added twenty when Oxland fell in an identical manner to his captain. Four were added for the final wicket as Tom Williams was last out for thirty-seven leaving Adam Creasey unbeaten on four. Devon were all out for a very below par score of two hundred and sixty-four on an excellent track.

Surrey would face twenty-eight overs before close and they reached three figures in the final over of the day. They lost two wickets - Szymanski having Ratnasabapathy well caught by Abrahams and Chris Yabsley bowled the second opener Singh. Nathan and Boys were now at the crease and setting themselves up for the second day. This was another brilliant day and the overnight batters took Surrey up to one hundred and sixty-nine, a partnership of one hundred and seventeen. On noon Williams had Boys caught by Gibbs for sixty-three with Nathan two from his fifty. The fourth wicket pairing took the game away from Devon as Nathan and Ganella added one hundred and sixty in one hundred and fifteen minutes off double nelson in balls. Surrey were closing in on a first innings lead at lunch - lasagne - when after sixty-six overs they were on two hundred and thirty-nine for three. The partnership was ended in the eighty-third over when Bovey held a truly exceptional catch turning 360° and moving to take an overhead skier to remove Nathan for one hundred and thirty-five. The new ball had been taken and Szymanski was the bowler. Surrey were now on three hundred and twenty-nine. The sides brilliant but reluctant slip fielder Ashley Causley then held another top effort to remove Ganella off Gibbs. He had scored seventy-one. The importance of having the right fielder in the right position has to be appreciated by all as a simpler slip chance had been missed shortly before and this is a problem that has to resolved by a general improvement in fielding standards. The warm up is a critical ingredient in gauging how standards are improving  but it is for every member of the squad to work at this integral aspect of the game on their own and at their clubs. Throughout the summer our fielding seemed to be getting worse rather than better. Surrey did not prolong the home side's agony as they declared one hundred and four ahead. It was now for Devon to bat out approximately forty overs. This they achieved despite losing openers Bovey and Causey for thirty. Lathwell and Williams added forty. Williams contributed another useful thirty and Jack Moore seemed to be coming to terms with Under 16 cricket before he was bowled. Szymanski helped Lathwell add twenty-eight but it was the Bideford all-rounder who was holding it all together. He added twenty-six with Tom Oxland taking Devon up to one hundred and thirty-four a lead of thirty. Lathwell reached his second fifty of the game but it was annoyingly fifty and out as he played his first totally inappropriate shot, particularly in view of the circumstances, of the innings - head up drive on the up and unsurprisingly he was bowled. His batting could become an important part of his contributions to the side but he had missed an opportunity of facing another fifty-two deliveries to set his own county best of eighty plus. Our batters have to learn to bat and bat. He should have been very pleased with his performance if not his dismissal. Oxland and Ben Abrahams added an unbeaten forty-two to extend the home sides lead to seventy-two, A reasonable recovery. Exeter were excellent hosts with their splendid facilities and ground team led by Andy Ellett. Bruce Coleman was the perfect host.

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