Without doubt this group talk a very good game, some with strong opinions and views. This is fine provided they can also actually walk the walk. Over the summer and particularly in this game they have shown that they cannot execute either their own or the coaches game plans. It was important that they realised this as now we will be far more prescriptive in what we will ask. 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 but the batsmen still indicated certain limitations. However overall the batsman approach was much better and importantly much more positive. It is also vital that the side now understands it has lost an outstanding talent in Tom Lammonby and as a group they need to compensate for his outstanding contributions over the years. It was reassuring that this view did come from the players. Provided they actually listen and apply it is anticipated there will be a real improvement over the remainder of the summer. It is hoped that the day of the glib cliché response to a question has gone.
Brixham are a club that are keen to host county age group matches sadly now a reducing number. This was their first ever two day game and they were magnificent, even providing the best two days weather, so far, of 2016. With the reduction in under 16 county fixtures Coventry Under 19s entered the fixture list for the first time in 2015. They provided us with a competitive one day game and asked if they could play a two day match. This was their first ever and it was agreed on a 60 overs first innings format. This worked well although it is anticipated that the remaining games will be under the old ECB Under 17 format. 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. Eighteen balls and two extras later the second opener Chatta was Ben Hayes first victim with James Bovey taking another 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. Miller was bowled by Chris Yabsley who was proving to be the most economical of the spinners. Coventry utilised all of the remaining balls being all out on the last. They added only one hundred and thirty-seven nearly sixes. Their final product of 266 would require Devon to score at at least 4.43 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 they lost two early wickets and after fourteen balls they were 5-2 as both Causey and Abrahams were caught. Fortunately James Bovey and Kazi Szymanski added fifty when in the twenty-fifth over Szymanski departed. Their partnership took eighty-one minutes 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 past his fifty. Three figures had been the Coaches drinks target. They took their partnership on the second day to seventy-four when James Bovey departed for sixty-three off one thirty-six balls. Here was an opportunity to score his first ton as the Coaches white board wish list now includes an individual hundred. Unfortunately Sandy Allen was unable to tick this vital box. James Bovey had batted well but now he must understand with the three day game rapidly approaching he should be not just looking at three figures but going on to big hundreds. 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 need to comment 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 side at the beginning of the session was to score at sixes, Devon scored at just 3.55 - time before we bat again for some thoughts 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. The dots mounted up and reached for the morning session alone 86. 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 problems with the sun in the first innings taking two catches off Szymanski and Yabsley and Abrahams taking an exceptional one off the captain. The first prescription of the summer was issued let us go at between four and six an over in any way that works for you. There was no answer to the question are we going to try to win the match - the scorer will start her maths classes at Redruth - 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). Although the proposed run rate of four was only hit for around twelve overs. Both batsmen passed fifty (another tick) with Causey showing 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 had bowled earlier and needs to learn how to deal with the more vulnerable balls of an over and not being afraid to protect the straight boundaries, was unbeaten on three. A kind fielder relieved him of his mobile which apparently he takes even to the wicket. Will proved a popular eleventh hour addition to the team. Meanwhile Bovey compiled another sixty bringing his aggregate for the match to one hundred and twenty-nine.
This had been an excellent learning experience and we now know the approach needed to help bring out the best of these players and there will be a more hands on approach. Brixham were brilliant and hopefully Coventry enjoyed their time on the English Riviera.
