The Under 16 2015 Season

Played   9                    Won      3              Won on 1^st Innings   3                 Drawn   1            Abandoned   2

v Gloucestershire (2 day) at Brislington CC. – Devon won on 1st innings
DEVON	336-9 dec	(H.Sargent 75, J.Hagan-Burt 36, B.Phillips 41, T.Andrew 43, E,Bragg 36)
	100-4 dec	(B.Phillips 38*)
GLOUCESTERSHIRE	193	(M.Petherbridge 3-34, E.Bragg 3-41)
v Cornwall at Truro C.C.. – Devon won by 6 wickets
CORNWALL	200-7	(B.Rudolph 3-40)
DEVON	202-4	(T.Andrew 48, M.Cooper 41*, B.Phillips 40*)
v Haberdashers Aske at Axminster C.C.. – Devon won by 9 wickets
HABERDASHERS	186	(M.Parker 4-29)
DEVON	187-1	(H.Sargent 44*, N.Wright 118)
v Cornwall at Exmouth C.C. – Devon won by 30 runs
DEVON	195	(T.Andrew 50, M.Cooper 30, B.Phillips 50)
CORNWALL	165	(M.Parker 3-30)
v Somerset (2 day) at Taunton Vale C.C. – Devon won on 1st innings
SOMERSET	393-6 dec	(E.Bragg 3-74)
DEVON	397-7	(H.Ward 61, J.Hagan-Burt 119, B.Rudolph 103)
v Worcestershire (2 day) at Barnt Green C.C. – Match Drawn
WORCESTERSHIRE	290-8	(H.Ward 4-74)
DEVON	158	(E.Bragg 35, H.Ward 34)
	240-7	(T.Andrew 40, J.Hagan-Burt 106*, H.Ward 30)
v Surrey (2 day) at Heathcoat C.C. – Match Abandoned
SURREY	273-9 dec	(M.Petherbridge 5-51)
DEVON	46-3
v Staffordshire (2 day) at Little Stoke C.C. – Devon won on 1st innings
DEVON	282	(H.Sargent 43, N.Wright 96, J.Hagan-Burt 52)
STAFFORDSHIRE	265	(J.Hagan-Burt 3-46, H.Ward 4-62)
v Coventry Under 19s  at Corley C.C. – Match Abandoned
DEVON	356-2	(H.Sargent 189*, N.Wright 105*)
COVENTRY	84-2

The 2015 Squad

B.Rudolph (captain), T.Andrew, E.Bragg, C.Cabburn, A.Causey, M.Cooper, E.Doble, O.Gannon, J.Hagan-Burt, T.Lammonby, S.Maunder, M.Parker, B.Phillips, M.Petherbridge, O.Reed, H.Sargent, K.Szymanski, H.Ward, T.Williams, N.Wright, C.Yabsley.

This was a strange season where the results concealed a number of complications behind the scenes. The annual check for availability actually resulted in some major hitches. For the first time all that has recently been written and spoken about with regard post sixteen player retention had some credibility, which long term for cricket must be a concern. Our planning is based on the players return and it cannot be overstressed how important its accuracy is to ensure a balanced squad. It really is preferably to know at the beginning of the summer that a player is not available rather than when the match details are distributed. We travelled to our first fixture at Brislington with a bare eleven and to the Midlands in late August with the only twelve players still available and an injury reduced this further to only eleven for the final fixture. Much credit is therefore due to the players who did represent the county and the unbeaten summer clearly indicates an otherwise outstanding attitude. It has been suggested that 2015 might be just a one off, it is hoped so!. Sandy Allen, in his first summer with the two squads, made an excellent impression and integrated brilliantly into an established pattern, bringing some new ideas and thoughts and a fresh vigour.

As indicated earlier for the first time in memory we actually travelled to Bristol with only eleven - an activities weekend, volleyball, sprained ankle plus confusion on availability brought about this far from ideal situation. It says much for the eleven, one jetted in from London, that they overcame this real disadvantage and, although they finished with one player limping and another far from well, the end result was a tribute to them all. Sandy Allen started his first adventure as the Coach Driver by getting his side safely housed at the Arnos Manor Hotel in good time. Noah Wright joined the group from the sights of London but two missed the first team discussion of the summer, so did not hear the warning of door cards and mobiles. It was therefore no surprise to see one of them at reception having his card recharged. The first mistake of the summer was to walk over the road to a Flaming Grill with a staff of less than half a dozen and a lot more punters. The scorer’s research having been totally ignored something that was not to be forgotten.

Next day the side left on time and, after the experience of the previous year, the attractive Brislington ground was found first time and we received a very warm welcome from the club. Over the two days they were again perfect hosts and in every way looked after us splendidly. It is anticipated that Jack Popham, now on the Gloucestershire Academy, will have a good time there provided he gets the pavilion end! With a new group there are always some reservations but Sandy Allen soon had everyone working well together and pulling in the same direction. With sunshine the forecast for both days, it was important that Billy Rudolph called correctly. However before the toss took place the captain passed on his knowledge of the two day regulations to the two umpires and opposition captain in what must have been one of the longest ever tosses but ultimately he called heads and Devon were batting. The openers Harvey Sargent and Joe Hagen-Burt, fresh from a league hundred the previous Saturday, batted beautifully looking in complete command of the situation particularly against the seamers. They put on eighty-eight, which proved to be the second best opening partnership of the summer, when in the twenty-third over Hagan-Burt was run out. The home side’s left arm spinner, Haynes, was bowling a very effective length and line that required a cordon of four fielders on the off side from backward point to wide extra cover. It may have become slightly frustrating for the batsmen and repetitive for the spectators as the ball was regularly played off the back foot to one of the fielders but clearly showed the benefit of consistency and the need of a batting Plan B. Ultimately, and unfortunately, Hagan-Burt hit the ball to fielder two, called, set off, only to see his partner unmoved at the non striker’s end - Devon one down after really cruising. The Plymouth opener had scored thirty-five off eighty balls with five fours. Noah Wright joined the captain but fifteen minutes before lunch was back in the pavilion. He struck Drissell, not of the lemon cake variety, for four and then was completely confused by his quicker ball. Devon were now not so well placed on 109-2 after 26.5 overs with Harvey past his fifty. Devon reached lunch on a more acceptable 123-2 off thirty-two overs. Matt Petherbridge, who had played at the ground the previous summer, was right - lasagne, crumble/custard and trifle. It seemed to have gone down well with the opener who supremely stroked the first ball after lunch across the floor through the covers to reach seventy-five, sadly next ball he was back asking for seconds, caught. Devon were now 127-3 which is very much a par lunch score with honours now even. Under 15 Michael Cooper, making his debut, was totally relaxed at the crease with a see ball hit ball technique. His four and six were the runs of the fourth wicket partnership when the skipper, Billy Rudolph, was out. He had not played on the previous Saturday for Ottery due a hockey commitment but for him, at club level, 2015 turned out to be a record breaking year. His dismissal started to change the balance of the game as Devon were now not so well placed on 137-4 after thirty-five overs. Ben Phillips joined Cooper and flirted with mid on and off and could have been dismissed four times before getting set. He however stuck to his task and made the most of the home side’s generosity and it was Cooper who was next out as he slashed a cross batted back foot shot to the waiting cover. The visitors were now in real trouble on 158-5. Cooper had contributed twenty-one, which was also the size of the fifth wicket partnership. However Phillips and new batsman, Tom Andrew, now dug deep and took their side on to the road to recovery, putting on the second highest partnership of the innings - sixty-four in fifty-three minutes off one hundred and sixteen balls. They batted really sensibly and to the situation. Both were to go on and play important roles over the summer. The two hundred came up in the fifty-sixth over but double Nelson struck in the sixty-second over when Phillips was caught and bowled by Wormwall, nine short of a much deserved fifty. He had batted for seventy-one minutes, faced eighty-three balls and hit seven fours and a six. Debutant Ed Bragg joined his Proms partner and took Devon, eight overs later, to an excellent tea on 250-6 with Andrew on 39. Post tea the two batted well together with a new ball approaching although Andrew was flagging, showing signs of fatigue and he had developed a limp, ominous for the second day. He lasted until the seventy-sixth over when he was caught off Panchai. He had batted nearly an hour and three quarters facing one hundred balls and had seen his side’s score rise by one hundred and nine runs. Tom Andrew had scored 43 with five fours. The new ball was taken and disposed of Ward for 12 - Devon 288-8. Tom Williams and Bragg achieved a hypothetical fourth and final bonus point as the innings started to meander. Williams was clearly unwell and unfortunately, when a drink was taken with a message that the tempo needed to change, it resulted in the demise of the Sandford spinner. He was leg before for four. The instructions with the drink were four more overs. Cometh the hour cometh number twelve Matthew Petherbridge. His first four balls did not give a clue of what was about to take place. On his first ball the ball was on the way back to the bowler when he played his shot, he got better as the next three were in the keeper gloves. However a change of ends to face Hooper, whose figures were 10-3-26-0, showed everyone what a rare talent Petherbridge is! His first four was a classical flick through mid wicket, for the next three balls he was like a rampant bull as he charged the bowler and hit three more fours - all straight. He took a single off the next, took his gloves off and led Bragg off to a fully justified round of applause with a strike rate of 188.89. Devon declared on 336-9, helped by forty-eight extras. New boy Ed Bragg was unbeaten on thirty-six. He had batted for one hundred and two minutes faced seventy-seven balls and hit three fours in an impressive first appearance and it was going to get better for the all rounder.

Devon had thirteen overs to make inroads and opened with Hagan-Burt from the pavilion end and Petherbridge up the hill. Tom Williams unfortunately only lasted a few balls and Devon fielded with ten. This should have been an interesting experience for the players as this was for many their first opportunity to make overnight inroads into their opponents. As Sandy Allen later pointed out they strived too hard for wickets and the captain will learn not to be afraid to make bowling changes to try to make something happen. The home side’s batters’ mind set was not to get out and they achieved this scoring thirty-seven. Overall this had been a really good recovery showing the importance of depth of batting and only the middle order could have been disappointed on their returns. Harvey Sargent’s Facebook address had been in demand during the day. A change of venue with a Hungry Horse being the choice but not all was plain sailing as their card machines were not working and that defunct currency, cash, was required. Thanks to Sainsbury's ATM the cash arrived and from then on the service and food was excellent.

On the second day there were some concern, whether the players were up for it but Sandy Allen's intentionally most confusing warm up got them all using their brains to great effect and the fielding practice was actually of a reasonable standard. Ed Bragg started up the hill and fourth ball bowled the better overnight opener Morris for 24. Gloucestershire - 38-1. The second wicket put on fourteen when Bragg took his second wicket, safely pouched by Harry Ward. Five balls later Ward, who had opened up from the pavilion end, took out keeper Burnstone leg before. Harry Ward had not finished as he then got a touch on a drive from Hooper to run out non striker Wormwell. In thirteen overs Devon had taken four wickets for twenty-two runs. This had been an excellent piece of cricket. Hooper and Canagarajah stabilised the situation taking their team to lunch on Nelson for four. This had been an outstanding session with Rudolph employing six bowlers. Following the success of the crumble and custard, the outstanding caterer repeated the dessert with three types of pasta and another trifle. Second over after lunch Bragg struck again with Hagan-Burt, the season’s leading catcher, taking his first catch of the summer to remove Hooper for 38 -122-5. Devon had been 158-5 in their innings. The home side reached their 150 in the fifty-ninth over so it was well balanced. Rudolph employed Harvey Sargent to bowl the sixty-second over and he completed his spell of one over bowling seventeen balls - four wides and seven no balls, most certainly a new under 16 record but not one for the Greenbook!! The captain who had bowled a very tight spell up the hill (7-5-6-0) was now being exceptionally imaginative with his bowling changes. He now had Petherbridge, who, despite bowling successfully up the hill for the seventeens in 2014, had struggled at that end, now bowling down the hill and Hagan-Burt, with Phillips standing up, bowling from the bottom end. As was predicted Canagarajah reached his fifty and then got out bowled by Petherbridge - 193-6. This was also a key lesson for the Devon batters - fifty is just their first target! The home side now lost their last four wickets without addition - an amazing turnaround. The captain took his first wicket - Smith leg before, Next ball the finger went up for a second leg before - double wicket maiden. Next over Petherbridge bowled Dent, there was another maiden from the captain, now 2-6 off nine, and then Petherbridge (3-34) wound up the innings trapping Groves in front.

With forty-one overs left in the day and a desire to leave before seven, Devon agreed to bat again to the chagrin of the home team captain, who did not understand the reasoning that we required to experience chasing second innings bonus points, as he wanted a T20. Devon faced six overs before tea losing Wright in the third over. Tea - as before - the home captain then lets Rudolph have his views and still did not understand the concept of the two day game - he really wanted a T20 which could have gone on to way past seven. This really was a shame as the home side had been excellent but felt they should let Devon know their views now at every opportunity. We were to meet up with the captain again later in the summer and he perhaps had the last laugh! Having now grasped what Devon were trying to achieve they put most of their fielders close to the wicket behind the bat leaving open spaces for Devon to hit through. Phillips and Hagan-Burt took the opportunity and achieved red inkers as Gloucester removed Sargent, Rudolph and Cooper for forty-six. Phillips and Hagan-Burt put on fifty-four off sixty-four in thirty-two minutes. In a competitive match both sides would have picked up a bonus point. No football, a quick review and Devon, after expressing real thanks to Brislington, were back on the road. Last year the three Devon vehicles had taken different routes out of the city so this year we both travelled via the M4. This had been a really successful two days with the ethos of under 16/17 cricket relayed to the new players. The coach had made a huge impact.

A 9.30am start at Truro necessitates a much earlier leave from Devon so it was impressive that the side’s coach was at the ground an hour early setting up and players arrived from 9.00am onwards, an outstanding effort. In view of the continuing really disappointing availability problems being experienced by the sixteens, it really was a huge relief that the available eleven were all present and correct on time, if not actually undertaking their throw downs and personal work at the designated time. Over the past couple of seasons much has been discussed about reduction in participation levels post sixteen but this is the first year ever that getting twelve players out to represent their county has been a problem. For this match, when selection was taken, there were seventeen ticks. Even taking into account an unfortunate injury Devon should never be down to a bare eleven. Steps were immediately taken to build up the squad with the subsequent result of a loss of opportunity to others. Commitment has to be very much two sided.

Cooper took two well taken goals but the captain was not satisfied with the pre-match preparations which was an important comment as the quality was not as high a standard as reached in Bristol. Excuses could have been offered but fortunately were not as they would not have been accepted! Standards would have to improve at Axminster. Devon called incorrectly and were in the field. Rudolph had potentially eighty overs of bowling available, excluding the record breaking Sidmouth off spinner. Truro had suffered the torrential rain of the previous day but had successfully hosted an Over 60 game and as always looked in suburb condition. The Cathedral city’s ground has to be one of Devon's favourite Cornish grounds and, as always, the club looked after us exceptionally well. Joe Hagan-Burt opened up with Christian Cabburn taking the City End. With the fortieth ball of the innings Cabburn caught and bowled Gibson with the home side on eleven. He took his second wicket in his sixth over with Matthew Petherbridge completing the catch. Cornwall were then thirty-five for three scoring at just over threes. Drinks were taken and combined with a minute's silence to remember the thirty-eight people - including thirty Britons - killed in the Tunisian beach attack the previous week. The break also brought Devon a third wicket when, with the second ball after drinks, the captain removed opener, Leathley, with a neat catch by Phillips standing up. The home side were now sixty-three for three in their eighteenth over. Nine minutes later they were four down for seventy-six runs now scoring at just over three and a half an over. Tom Andrew, now fully recovered from Brislington, the catcher off Torquay's latest recruit Matthew Petherbridge. Cornwall reached the half-way stage on ninety-one for five after Billy Rudolph trapped the opposition’s stand in keeper, Lombard, with the third ball of the twenty-fifth over. The sixth wicket pairing of Pascoe and Goldsworthy put on the highest stand of the Cornish innings - fifty-two off ninety-six balls in forty-four minutes. Rudolph was again intelligently sharing the bowling around and he was now involving leg spinner, Harry Ward, under 15 off spinner, Chris Yabsley, making his sixteens’ debut, and then he introduced another under fifteen left armer, Tom Williams. Devon could and should have brought the partnership to an earlier conclusion in a fielding performance that did not match their display in Gloucestershire. Being perhaps generous, overall they missed potentially three opportunities and there was a direct correlation with the captain’s earlier disappointment on the standard of the pre-match preparation and the missed chances. The sixth wicket fell in the thirty-ninth over, Williams first, with Ward diving full length to take an excellent catch. The coach was setting targets, although the one hundred and seventy was not considered reasonable by the think tank, but the one eighty was most certainly by the bench. Cornwall had sixty balls left and Sandy Allen considered they should not get past one eighty (another forty runs). They did in fact score at nearly a run a ball to end on two hundred. The captain did bowl the home side’s top scorer Goldsworthy. Overall Devon conceded thirty-eight extras, they gave their opponents virtually three additional overs in wides and no balls which is totally unacceptable. On the plus side but also posing questions was the fact that of the three hundred legal deliveries, two hundred and nine (excluding byes and leg byes) were dots. Leaving one hundred and sixty-two runs coming off just ninety-one balls. Tighter control by the fielders would have put greater pressure on the batsman and was a major lesson to be learnt. Of the Cornwall eleven, ten were playing for their seventeen's.

An excellent M&S Turkey burger with chips and baked beans, chocolate gateau or strawberries with ice cream was a pleasant change and the batters Harvey Sargent, later called up to play for the full County side, and Joe Hagan-Burt were ready but with Hagan-Burt carrying a potential and worrying injury. Earlier in the week Sargent had made his debut for Wellington School against the Cornwall Under 17s where he ended undefeated seven short of a hundred. In this game he was the first to fall caught behind by Lombard off Old for fourteen. Devon were 21-1 off fifty balls. Tom Andrew, promoted after his good performance against Gloucestershire and Hagan Burt took Devon up to eighty when Hagan-Burt was caught by Paull J off Gibson for twenty-five. He had batted for one hundred and one minutes facing eighty-three balls and with Andrew had laid the foundations. Billy Rudolph was stumped off a wide by Lombard leaving his side three short of three figures with one hundred and eight balls remaining to score one hundred and four runs. Andrew and Cooper scored at nearly a run a ball (33 of 34), when Andrew again did not reach a merited fifty being caught two short. He had again shown the tenacity needed, facing three balls more than Hagan-Burt and batting for one minute less. Cooper was adding to his growing reputation for being unflappable and he and Ben Phillips batted beautifully in taking their side home with five overs to spare. They put on an unbeaten seventy-two in thirty-one minutes off fifty-seven deliveries, which was the second highest fifth wicket partnership of 2015. This had been an excellent demonstration of finishing by the pair. Cooper was forty-one not out (36 balls, 50 mins, six fours). Phillips batted for nineteen minutes less, scored the same number of fours and faced two balls fewer. He finished the match 2,4,4,4,4!

With the game over there was a good debrief and, despite some desire from parents to get on the road, the post match football, which is a critical ingredient was completed. With a very busy period of the summer, including the commencement of the under 17 fixtures, following this fixture there was a need to introduce programmes for the players before the sixteens’ season took priority in mid August. There were obvious areas that needed and subsequently received attention but the method adopted to get over the line by the batters was almost perfect, the flamboyance can come later! The long trip home was enlightened by Heather Watsons valiant attempt to beat Serena Williams

In a blistering performance Noah Wright demonstrated what he has to offer both the sixteens and seventeens. In our annual match against Haberdashers he struck one of the fastest under sixteen hundreds recorded, reaching three figures off just sixty-nine deliveries. His opening partnership of one hundred and sixty-nine set up his side for a nine wicket win. This was the only century opening partnership of the summer and nearly twice as high as the next best. Sam Wyatt-Haynes joined the coaching team for the warm up and was a welcome addition for the rest of the summer. The warm up still did not reach the levels required but was an improvement on Truro. The Haberdashers’ captain called correctly and batted. Devon were making their annual visit to Axminster and for the first time in twenty-three years were not greeted by Les Haynes who has been such an outstanding ambassador for his club. We hope to see him again in 2016. Devon had twelve which added that extra dimension of conversations and some interesting discussions were held with the players in their ten over breaks. Joe Hagan-Burt and Christian Cabburn again opened the bowling and it was the Thorverton bowler who broke the opening partnership in the fifth over, when he bowled Willis for nine of the fourteen runs on the board. The visitor’s other opener and star batsman, Harris, had looked in ominously good form, last year he was padded up at three for one hundred and thirty-six minutes whilst his openers chased down two hundred and forty-nine! The second wicket pairing more than doubled the score, taking the school side up to thirty-eight in the eighth over. With continued complications on availability under fifteen Matt Parker was making his debut for the side and with his first ball of the next over, his first, trapped Amin in front. The captain had replaced Cabburn at the pavilion end and after another ten overs he and Parker gave way to the spinners - Petherbridge and Yabsley. They entered the attack in the eighteenth and nineteenth overs and after the twentieth Haberdashers were 93 -3, as Chris Yabsley had Mack caught by Wright. Harris was now eight short of his half century. At the half way stage the school were one hundred and three for three and the final score looked likely to be around two hundred and fifty. To Devon's great credit and particularly due their spinners control, the visitors were forced on to the back foot. The stumped Phillips bowled Petherbridge combination removed the next two batsmen leaving Haberdashers on 133-5 after thirty-three overs. Leg spinner Harry Ward, who had been outstanding in the field, took over from Petherbridge and Matt Parker returned this time at the pavilion end. Ward took two quick wickets, bowled and caught behind by Phillips - 162-7 off forty overs and Parker cleaned up the tail, all three bowled, two in consecutive deliveries. Devon would chase one hundred and eighty six at nearly 3.75. Disappointingly extras totalled twenty seven, twenty three from seven wide balls. This was still the improvement which had been sought before the start of the game. Overall this had been a tight performance well marshalled by Billy Rudolph. Opener Harris was undefeated on ninety-nine and missed a trick when he took a single to expose his number eleven, Lawrence, who was then immediately bowled! Harris had batted exceptionally well and there was real disappointment that he did not make a deserved hundred.

Pasta bake and Eton mess was consumed with some gusto and Devon then undertook one of their best ever run chases. They achieved their objective at an excellent run rate of more than a run a ball and it was a shame that Wright holed out in the twenty-second over. He was well past three figures and the Greenbook was under pressure. Even a ten wicket win would not have been sufficient to enter the record section as the highest opening partnership but the one six nine was still pretty impressive. Wright had taken the lead role striking fourteen fours and seven sixes. He faced thirty-six balls for his fifty, his hundred came up off sixty-nine and he was out on his eighty-second delivery, caught for an exciting one hundred and eighteen. This had been an exceptional innings of outstanding shot selection. Sargent had been the perfect partner and he and Joe Hagan-Burt finished off the chase facing another seventeen balls. Sargent was forty-four (79 mins, 55 balls 6 fours) and Hagan-Burt nine. This had been an outstanding example of chasing with some real flamboyance. It also helped remove from the memory the drubbing we had received in 2015.

Despite the fact that the sixteens continued their unbeaten record for the summer their home performance against Cornwall was generally very disappointing. This had been an ideal opportunity for them to display the attributes needed in the one day game before they started their run of four two day games. There was light rain at eight-thirty and the day started overcast and slightly oppressive but the weather improved throughout the day. As normal Exmouth, who were hosting Devon for four days out of six, was in perfect condition. The warm up had to be stopped because it was simply awful which was the first frustration. Overall, throughout the day, the levels of the required standards were not reached, in some instances the group were actually way below expectations. The word concentration was used by several of the players which is totally unacceptable. At the completion of the game the players were clearly reminded what is required and talent, although important, is no longer the overriding factor if it is not harnessed to desire and commitment. In reality much was learnt about the players aptitude and attitude. We received visits from both the Cricket Centre and Exeter College and learnt where we had been going wrong this summer!! On the plus side, a session with last year's coach might at last have helped the management master Facebook.

Cornwall lost the toss and Devon batted. EPP's Harvey Sargent and Noah Wright opened up in front of their mentor. After twenty-two minutes Devon were nineteen for two with both openers back in the pavilion. After his heady hundred in the previous game Wright flashed second ball to be caught by Cornwall's promising under fourteen keeper, Leathley, off Sturgess. Devon 0-1, Sargent hit two fours, a three and a single and was then caught by Gibson off Warne. The same bowler removed the captain ten balls later with Devon now 27-3 and the keeper taking his second catch. Tom Andrew and Michael Cooper then helped improve the situation with a partnership of fifty-six off eighty-five deliveries in three quarters of an hour. Both have reputations for being aggressive but one of the real plus features of the summer was Andrew's ability to adapt to match situations and Cooper also demonstrated this important skill. The former has still much work to undertake on his fielding and fitness but batted really well over the summer until fatigue crept in. Rightly Cooper was annoyed to get out in the twenty-first over when he was bowled by Goldsworthy for a thirty-nine ball thirty. Half of his scoring shots were fours - 20. Phillips, whose batting in 2015 was as important as anyone's, joined Andrew and the pair took Devon up to 100-4 at the half way stage. Their partnership ended in the twenty-eighth over when Andrew's important contribution came to an end. He had reached the forties twice before this summer but this time he reached fifty. He did not bat on, neither did Phillips, which quite simply at this or any level is not what is needed. However Andrew had seen the scoreboard climb from nought to one hundred and nine aided by his partnership of twenty-four with Phillips. He was Paull's first wicket and Gibson's second catch. Devon now needed to reach a defendable target. Bragg lasted six balls, scoring a single to take Devon up to Nelson and next ball was stumped by the young keeper. Phillips and Bunbury bound Kasi Szymanski then fortunately added the highest partnership of the day - sixty-three. This was also the highest seventh wicket partnership of the summer. The pair faced sixty-eight balls and batted for thirty-three minutes. The Torquay all-rounder fell in the forty-first over caught and bowled by Pascoe for twenty-four. Devon were now approaching two hundred, being on 174-8. Quite inexcusably Phillips’ half century was not acknowledged by the pavilion but his response was not that needed by his side, as he got himself out. There was, and perhaps still remains, a general need throughout the side to understand match situations and, with Devon having forty-one balls remaining, Ben needed to marshal the lower order to bat the overs and get past two hundred. Phillips had batted really well for six minutes over the hour, he faced sixty-five balls for his fifty. Devon were now in real difficulty on 180-8 with Ward, Parker and Petherbridge now required to take Devon past two hundred. They failed by five runs but annoyingly Devon did not utilise nineteen deliveries which was really poor cricket. Harry Ward scored six, Matt Parker, who blended in really well in this group, was unbeaten on four and Petherbridge now had an average but he still needed four more completed innings to get into the averages as a batter, which he did not achieve. However his batting, if he is available, will be taken more seriously in 2016.

Baked potatoes with various fillings and cheesecake and cream were enjoyed - the side were advised that their response to this situation would be critical in their development. They bowled their opponents out for one hundred and sixty-five, with fifty being put on by the last wicket. The key wicket was always going to be captain Sturgess who is very close to selection for the Minor County squad. Their openers put on thirty-two in thirty-seven minutes off fifty-seven balls. The elder Leathley was the first wicket to fall, brilliantly caught one handed low on the ground by the diving Phillips. An exceptional catch. The keeper’s contribution behind the stumps and his thirteen catches with the gloves and four stumpings were a vital contribution to the season. He is now second in the keepers chart with Tavistock's David Manning still top. This catch brought Sturgess to the wicket. The captain faced sixteen balls in his eleven minutes at the crease with seven dots. He smote four fours and a six and has the ability to match his swagger. However the home side's captain replaced Szymanski at the sea end and created another early breakthrough when his first ball removed his opposite number with Petherbridge taking the catch. Matt Petherbridge was one of the best fielders in this group and that perhaps says more about the others but by hard work and dedication he has improved immensely. The fielding was very much like the preverbal Curate's Egg which would indicate a general lack of concentration. However Devon were now very much in the driver's seat but failed to complete the coup de grâce. Wickets started to fall regularly, in Parkers sixth over he had Gibson leg before, in his next over he had Harding caught behind and in his next, the side’s seventeenth, he bowled Goldsworthy. Rudolph took his second wicket trapping Lombard in front leaving Cornwall on 105-6 off twenty-five. Spinners Petherbridge and Ward, who actually was involved in a misfield, were now in the attack. Harry Ward had Pascoe leg before, Matt Petherbridge then bowled Paull. Off spinner Chris Yabsley took over at the Pavilion end from Petherbridge and with his third ball had Eva charging to be stumped by Phillips - 115-9 off thirty-four overs. Unfortunately the final wicket was not taken until the forty-fifth over when Yabsley took his second wicket, trapping the outstanding prospect under 14 Leathley in front. Sloppy cricket was perhaps the most polite description of the last wicket partnership, the over rate dipped to an unacceptable level and this final phase of the game was as bad as the first - the pre match preparation. Hopefully some will not look back on this game as a missed opportunity to secure a long term place in the seventeens squad. Football completed the day and for obvious reasons Petherbridge was not allowed back on the tractor! This was Michael Cooper’s last county game of the summer as he was to be involved in Plymouth Argyles pre-season. It could also be possibly be his last county game and, if that is the case. he will be a huge loss but he is wished well. Incredibly over the past two seasons Devon have lost two outstanding young cricketers - who are also both goalkeepers!

The two day game with Somerset was played on the Taunton Vale second ground whilst Somerset Twos with Marcus Trescothick were involved on the main ground in what turned out to be a comfortable win against Essex. The last time we had played on the junior ground was in 2009 when Zack Bess routed Somerset on a wet one. At the end of the summer Bess joined the Cidermen in a fitness role. Since 2009 the players’ area has been rebuilt with the provision of the all important electricity for the scorer and equally important the pitch looked to be an excellent one. Somerset, having won the toss, had first use and had a very successful ninety-four overs scoring at over four an over to reach 393. This was the second highest two day score against Devon and their declaration gave their bowlers eight overs at Devon before close of play. In their innings the home side lost six wickets and had four decent partnerships and two lesser ones. The openers Clist and Wells had put on forty-three in forty minutes when Phillips caught Clist off Hagan-Burt. Somerset reached three figures in their twenty-seventh over and in the next, seventeen minutes before lunch, Rudolph introduced Yabsley into the attack. With his fourth ball he had Wells well caught behind by Phillips. The second wicket pairing of Wells and captain Trenouth had put on fifty-eight in three minutes under the hour. Lunch was taken with thirty-three overs bowled, two wickets down and one hundred and eight on the board and honours even. Over baked potatoes both sides were able to catch up with the havoc created by Broad at Trent Bridge. Australia were all out inside a session and England already batting.

The third wicket partnership of Trenouth and Dunning put on a decisive one hundred and thirty-nine off two hundred and fifty-five balls. They took their side up to the last over before tea with two hundred and forty-on the board. With the fifth ball of the sixty-ninth over Bragg bowled Dunning for forty-eight. Dunning had a variable but long pre-delivery routine that he had undertaken one hundred and thirty-two times and he had batted for one hundred and thirty-one minutes. In the second over after lunch Oli Reed trapped new batsman Young in front with nine runs added. The Somerset captain and Shaw added the second century stand of the innings, posting one hundred and fifteen in six minutes over the hour off one hundred and eight balls. Somerset were now on three hundred and sixty-five when Bragg took his second wicket bowling Trenouth for one hundred and sixty-nine. This had been an excellent innings in two hundred and sixty-two minutes off two hundred and thirty-four balls. Devon now awaited the declaration, taking one more wicket with Billy Rudolph catching Reed to give Bragg his third wicket (17-1-74-3). Shaw was unbeaten on 64. Devon would have a testing time for twenty-seven minutes. Ashley Causey hit his first ball for the under 16s down square legs throat to give them the worst possible start and Somerset the best - 0-1. Sargent fell in the sixth over caught behind 15-2 but Tom Andrew and Harry Ward reached close of play eight balls later without any further mishap or addition to the score.

The second day was another bright one and batting conditions remained good - however a record run chase would be necessary if the side were to come out as winners on first innings. Devon's progression lasted just thirty-four balls before Tom Andrew departed caught behind. He had battled for fifty-two minutes for his sixteen. Devon's fortunes started to change on the fall of this wicket as Harry Ward and Joe Hagan-Burt took their side from 35-3 up to 107-4 as they added seventy-two vital runs. They batted well together facing one hundred and five balls for six minutes under the hour. Harry Ward's innings was a clear indication of what he can offer the side, not just as an outstanding fielder and bowler but as a top order batsman. Until his demise he looked in no difficulty and realistically a personal three figures were on the horizon. This innings would have shown him that he should expand his own personal batting expectations and horizons. He reached a county best but was then the keeper’s third victim. His sixty-one had taken eighty-five minutes and he faced ninety-three balls, hitting eleven to the boundary. The captain joined Hagan-Burt and the pair batted the thirteen overs up to the lunch interval. Devon had now reached one hundred and thirty-two still needing another two hundred and sixty-one runs with six wickets in hand and potentially sixty-five overs remaining in the day. It was likely to be an interesting two sessions. Hagan-Burt and Billy Rudolph batted through until tea adding another one hundred and eighty runs. Both batsmen reached their own hundreds, Hagan-Burt in the eighty-first and Rudolph in the eighty-third and last over before tea. They had batted beautifully complementing each other superbly and their stand of two hundred and five had taken them past the previous best fourth wicket partnership and the highest ever under sixteen stand. This had been compiled in 1990 by Gosling and Muggleton and had been seven short of two hundred. The pair enjoyed tea in the knowledge that they still needed another eighty-two runs off at least twenty-seven overs - just over three an over. The pair set what would be a new target for future sixteens, in putting on two hundred and eighteen in one hundred and fifty-nine minutes off three hundred and thirty-one balls. Eventually Billy Rudolph was Reed’s fourth catch off the fourteenth post tea delivery. His one hundred and three was another personal county best and had included twelve fours, the last took him up to three figures. He had faced one hundred and sixty-eight balls and had most certainly led from the front. Hagan-Burt’s contribution had also been immense but Devon were still not over the line and needed another sixty-nine runs to cross it. This was reduced by forty as Hagan-Burt and Phillips batted very sensibly but it was the Plymouth all-rounder who fell next in the ninety-third over for another PB - one hundred and nineteen. This innings had taken over four hours, he had faced one hundred and sixty-eight balls and he scored one more four than his captain. His side still had a difficult thirty-two runs to secure a record breaking chase. Ben Phillips who has offered so much in various roles this summer departed ten runs later. It was left to Ed Bragg and Tom Williams to complete what was the biggest run chase in under 16 two day history. Both batted very judiciously and achieved their side’s objective in seventeen minutes, scoring the twenty-two runs off thirty-four balls. This was an extraordinary all round performance with every member of the side making an important contribution.

The sixteens now started their longer distance trips and sampled the travel difficulties previously experienced this year by the seventeens. On their trip up to Bromsgrove it was necessary, due to forecasted long queues, to leave the M5 and to utilise the old pre-motorway road network that was found to be virtually empty and successfully another long hold up was avoided. A refurbished Travelodge with next door pub for breakfast proved reasonable accommodation and the Marston's menu was revisited for the first time in twelve months. It was an easy drive to the excellent Barnt Green ground where we had enjoyed two days in 2012. Barnt Green remains one of the more sought after Birmingham commuter belts and the gated driveways seem to have increased over the past thirty-six months. For the casual, uninitiated observer, let alone the keen two day follower, this must have been a extremely difficult game to follow on TCS or indeed live as its format seemed to change every hour. Devon's woeful first innings batting did not help their own cause but the intended attacking four innings game turned into one of those boring draws that will not assist the loss of the sixteen plus cricketer. In overcast conditions and with rain in the air the pre match preparations were initially delayed but fortunately ultimately concluded with Billy Rudolph calling incorrectly and his side were in the field. However they were batting at one minute past five as the home side declared at nine minutes to five on two hundred and ninety, as agreed albeit later than understood. The home side lost eight wickets with Harry Ward leading the attack and deservedly picking up four wickets off seventeen and a half overs. Play started on time but rain interrupted the game after twenty-eight minutes with the home side on twenty-six and Devon having bowled seven overs. Joe Hagan-Burt and Ed Bragg had opened up and continued their spell after the enforced break. Oli Reed took over from Hagan-Burt to bowl the thirteenth over and with his fourth ball had Turner well caught by his predecessor now in the slip cordon. Hagan-Burt confirmed what an asset he is to the side, not just as an outstanding all-rounder but as a specialist close to the wicket fielder, when he held another stunning catch, this time off Cabburn’s third delivery to remove Hayes. Worcestershire were now 43-2 in sixteenth overs. Devon had bowled twenty-four overs in the truncated morning session and Worcestershire had scored eighty runs without further loss. Rudolph had employed five bowlers, introducing Matt Petherbridge for the penultimate over before the interval. Lunch, a mixture of hot and cold went down well and Cabburn and the captain opened up after the break. Devon took their third wicket in the thirty-eighth over when Billy Rudolph had Ahmed caught behind for a fifty-three ball twenty-two. Kinder then came to the crease and he was to play an important, indeed vital, part in setting up a decent first innings total. The home side had reached one hundred and eight off the first ball of their thirty-seventh over with the third wicket pairing completing the highest partnership of their innings. The fourth wicket had added the joint second highest contribution - fifty-three in forty minutes off eighty-four balls - when Ben Phillips did it again, this time catching the opener Bullock for seventy-three off the bowling of Oli Reed. Kinder had contributed twenty-three of the partnership. Devon struck again seventeen balls later with Harry Ward taking his first wicket, trapping Smith in front. Worcestershire were now 170-5 off fifty-four overs. Kinder and Craner had equalled the fourth wicket partnership when Ward struck again with Phillips stumping Craner. Kinder was now past his fifty and a declaration had been expected at tea giving Devon a session to start their chase. Tea came with Worcestershire on 200 and Craner was out with sixty-six overs gone and another twenty-three runs added. Kinder was now approaching his hundred, being twenty-one short, when the seventh wicket fell off the last ball of the seventieth over. Christian Cabburn taking the catch to give Harry Ward his third wicket. His fourth and Worcestershire's eighth fell in the seventy-second with Phillips taking his third but only catch off the Paignton leg spinner. The believed format of the game had now apparently changed to allow Kinder to get three figures which he did in the seventy-fourth over with the home side on 290.

Devon would now have an uncomfortable twenty-eight overs to gain some ECB Championship Two Day experience of not losing wickets before close of play. Devon closed on 86-4 with Sargent falling in the seventh over, Andrew in the eighteenth, Bragg in the twenty-second and Hagan Burt in the twenty-sixth over. Harry Ward and Owen Gannon batted out the remaining twelve balls. Sargent scored eighteen - caught, Andrew, eleven - leg before, Bragg, thirty-five - stumped and Hagan-Burt, six - the second leg before. This had been an interesting day, the goal posts seemed to have moved a couple of times but with Devon having lost four top order batsmen they would have to show some real resilience and resistance on the second day to chase down a more typical score for an orthodox two day game than the exciting two innings one that had been initially proposed. We returned to the Crown where some interesting discussions were held on fitness and the way forward into 2016.

The difficulties of playing cricket without your sight were demonstrated in the warm up and a greater respect and appreciation for those who play the game with a disability was gained. The captain was at the crease after eight balls as Gannon was bowled by Ahmed. Half of Devon had now departed with two hundred and two needed for a first innings lead. In fact they did not pass the one hundred and ninety to avoid the follow on. Ward again demonstrated his ability with the bat and with the captain added the highest partnership of the innings - forty-five - when he was totally unnecessarily run out for an excellent thirty-four. The winter will be spent ensuring, as he had already proved against Somerset, that he knows he has so much more to offer with the bat. Devon were after forty-five overs on one hundred and thirty-three for six. The captain departed eight balls later and although Ben Phillips also reached double figures he was last out as Devon were all out thirty-five minutes before lunch. The home side did not take the opportunity to add quick runs to their lead of one thirty-two, which under the original agreement we would have been duty bound to chase in order to provide the exciting conclusion! They put us back in and then seemed strangely frustrated towards the end of the day when they could not bowl us out! Devon got off to the worst possible start, losing Bragg off the twenty-first ball with just four on the board. Devon reached lunch which came after six overs on 8-1. They were two down at eleven minutes past two when Worcestershire took the key wicket of Sargent. Harvey, having made his debut earlier for the Minor County side had an exceptional season for both the sixteens and seventeens but was going through a difficult period which fortunately he quickly came out of it with flying colours, saying a lot about his character. Devon were still one hundred behind with plenty of overs left in the day. Joe Hagan-Burt replaced the Sidmouth batsman and was to remain undefeated over the remaining fifty-five overs. He with Andrew put on fifty-eight taking Devon to ninety off thirty-one overs. Tom Andrew's valiant innings then ended ten short of another fifty. The captain joined Hagan-Burt and they added an important sixty, with Rudolph contributing seventeen. This was one of four fourth wicket partnerships in the summer over fifty which simply will not be sufficient in 2016. Only one pairing went on to put on a hundred plus. Of the other partnerships only the fifth wicket pairings equalled the same number and again only one went on to three figures. After this the openers put on fifty, three times. This is an area for real improvement over the top seven pairings (at least) at seventeens. Devon were now eighteen ahead when the captain was stumped. Hagan-Burt was thirty short of a second hundred of the summer. Ben Phillips lasted eleven balls before becoming Smith's fourth wicket. Hagan-Burt was on Australia's unlucky eighty-seven and Devon were on 165 with five wickets down. Harry Ward then again batted sensibly, adding fifty-nine with Hagan-Burt reaching three figures in the sixty-fourth over. Next over Ward targeted the mid wicket advertising hoardings hit one with a nice vibrating echo and then, unnecessarily, tried to repeat it and was caught. His thirty had been a first-rate cameo, vital for the situation but he could and should have batted on to beat his Somerset score. Hagan-Burt's hundred had come off one hundred and sixty-two balls and had been absolutely perfect for the circumstances. His one hundred and six contained eight fours, he batted for nearly three hours and in all faced one hundred and seventy-three balls. Whilst at the crease he saw his side’s score rise from 32-2 to the final declared 240-7. Poor Owen Gannon completed a milestone no batsman wishes to achieve as he was run out without facing and Ed Doble finished undefeated on ten off fourteen balls. Common sense prevailed at half past five with eight overs still to be bowled and Devon were shortly on their way home. Because of the change in format the game was drawn and continued Devon's unbeaten season. It was a moist return to Devon again via Evesham with Cabburn off to join the Dumplings and the Pizzas proved to be very popular at Gordano, if a little slow.

The weather forecast for the two days of the home game against Surrey was simply horrendous - the radar predicted virtually nonstop rain for hours on end not only at Heathcoat but across the county and indeed the whole of the South West. Due to its location close to both of Devon's moors, Heathcoat tends to get any rain that is about so it was a real surprise that any play was undertaken at all let alone a full first day's. This was despite the heavy overhead cloud and mist hiding some local weather determining landmarks, in particular a favourite tree on a nearby hill that tended to fade in and out of vision. The ground was well covered but feedback from the club indicated we would be very lucky even to get the covering off despite the constant use of their BowDry. As it was not actually raining Sandy Allen had his side out early confident of a day's play. He was actually the only one with this real belief but the umpires were undertaking their role in a conscientious and hopeful manner. Thanks to the hard work of the ground team, the game started half an hour late at eleven. Billy Rudolph won the toss and inserted his opposition. The agreed format was that both sides would bat for a maximum of seventy first inning’s overs so Devon, weather permitting, were likely to be batting later in the day. Joe Hagan-Burt bowled Ratnasabapathy in the ninth over with Surrey twenty-four for one. The second wicket added another twenty-runs when the captain did it again and had Woods caught by Matt Parker off his first delivery. Devon were making the most of the toss and in the twentieth over of the first session Matt Parker trapped opener Ward in front for forty-two out of the sixty on the board. Five overs later Rudolph took his second wicket bowling Hall - 77-4. Lunch was taken on Nelson with Rudolph having employed five bowlers to bowl the thirty-four overs. In the seventh over after lunch Matt Petherbridge took his first wicket, caught by Bragg - 151-5. The fifth wicket had added the highest partnership of the innings seventy-four. The sixth added fifty-nine off the same number of balls as the fifth - one hundred and three. Tea was taken after fifty-six overs with Surrey five past two hundred. With the first ball of his sixteenth over Petherbridge struck again, trapping Hall in front for Surrey's highest individual contribution - seventy. Surrey had sixty- five balls left before the turnaround and they took their score up from two hundred and fifty-nine to two hundred and seventy-three. Petherbridge, in what could well be his final spell in youth cricket, took the three wickets to fall, with catches from Phillips and Hagan-Burt and another successful appeal for leg before. His potentially final gold lion figures were 21-4-51-5 - he has come a long way in his three seasons and now we wish him well with the blue lion - taking three wickets and scoring one run on his debut.

Devon had kept well to their task but it was important that they made the most of the possible thirty-two overs. Harvey Sargent opened with Ed Bragg but only added five before Bragg was bowled in the seventh over. Tom Andrew went in the tenth with Devon now on twenty-two. Tom Lammonby, in what was to be his final appearance of the summer, lasted fourteen balls and Devon were in trouble on forty-one for three. Sargent and Hagen-Burt, in really dim light, saw Devon to six thirty when after seventeen overs the umpires brought the players off for bad light, with Devon two hundred and twenty-seven behind with seven wickets in hand and fifty-three overs left on first innings.

It rained hard on the way back to Woodbury, the game at Exmouth had been cancelled and it had seemed to have rained everywhere in Devon apart from on the Knightshayes Estate - we had been exceptionally fortunate. Our luck was not to continue into the second day when it did rain and rain and rain. After a very useful discussion on under sixteen cricket and another excellent Thompson lunch enjoyed, everyone departed to their homes in Devon and the capital.

The last standing twelve under 16s undertook a very productive trip up to the Midlands. For the first time this summer the journey was not too bad. We were travelling the furthest north since the Under 21s final at Derby in 2003. We stopped at the Gloucestershire Services, the one travel decision the management made all season, to learn of Exmouth’s T20 Quarter Final success. The mini-bus had been following ball by ball on TCS the critical game between Wimbledon and Exmouth. Our coach, Sandy Allen, had to opt out of this important fixture as a replacement mini-bus driver could not be found. He was therefore delighted when Exmouth won off the last ball after the previous under 17 highest season’s aggregate scorer and the current one had put on a century partnership. We reached the Stoke-on-Trent Travelodge nearly on time with what was in 2015 a rarity of a fifty minute break before we were due at the adjacent Toby Inn for a Carvery.

Breakfast was also taken there and we left early to find the attractive Little Stoke ground in Stone. Omens continued to be good and although Staffordshire had already set up their warm-up ground Devon were out in good time. Having decided, over the course of the season that the squad desperately needed to improve their fitness and agility levels, Sandy Allen again worked them hard but not omitting another major area of concern their fielding. Harvey Sargent won the toss and Devon batted. They could have lost three wickets in the first fifteen minutes, Sargent was caught behind off a no ball, Causey dropped at slip and the captain played a ball onto his stumps for the bails to remain unmoved!. However the openers advanced the score to fifty off seventy-one balls in forty-nine minutes, the third best start of 2015. Causey continued his cavalier approach to batting - if it is a bad ball I hit it - but unfortunately for the second time this summer he hit a bowler’s first ball down a fielder’s throat. In this case the Bovey all-rounder chose Paignton's favourite position - deep square leg. He had hit three fours and two singles.Page 2