2018 Devon U13 v Wiltshire U13 at Burbage Wed 15th August
Devon concluded their 2018 campaign with a trip to the picturesque village of Burbage, near Marlborough to play their re-arranged fixture with Wiltshire. On a green pitch and with very long boundaries square of the wicket but short straight, Devon were asked to bat first.
A steady start by openers Jake Pascoe and Jack Whittaker took the score to 35 before Whittaker (15) knicked off behind to bring Lawrence Walker to the crease. The Pascoe and Walker 2nd wicket partnership has been the mainstay of Devon’s batting this season and they did not disappoint again as the pair added 102 for the 2nd wicket in good time as Devon looked to accelerate through the mid part of the innings. Both passed 50 but the introduction of opening bowler of Howgrave-Graham saw Walker undone by a short ball which was not as quick as perhaps he anticipated as he looped a catch to cover for 61 which included 7 boundaries and 1 six. Pascoe was joined by Cameron Ford who took the score to 163 as Wiltshire responded well during the latter stages of the visitors innings as the Wiltshire bowlers made life difficult for the Devon batsmen who were unable to exploit short straight boundaries. Pascoe was clean bowled playing across the line for 56, Cam Ford, playing his last game before heading over to China was stumped for 15 and despite the best efforts of Ed Butler and Matt Jeacock, Devon were unable to pass the 200 mark and had to settle for 197-4, a decent total from 40 overs but with a feeling that they had left a few out on the pitch.
An early breakthrough for Harry Pryce, trapping opener Spencer for a single was the start that Devon wanted and got. In a game where the plan was to share the bowling, after a good start from Pryce and Butler the Wiltshire batsmen settled into the game and commenced to really attack the Devon bowlers, James Tyler and Matt Jeacock coming in for severe punishment as they struggled with their lengths. An observation from the boundary that in addition to their boundary hitting, Howgrave-Graham and Matt Garrod were able to rotate the strike comfortably as the pair added 98 for the 2nd wicket in quick time as Wiltshire passed 100 in the 17th over. Two wickets from 2 balls for Dan Alford, both caught behind by Noah Carlisle gave Devon a route back into the game and with Howgrave-Graham out for 56 the hope would be that the bowlers could open an end up. In reality this happened as Jack Whittaker came on to take 2 wickets and the introduction of the excellent Ed Butler who bowled with real pace nearly got Devon over the line as he claimed 3 wickets including Garrod, trapped lbw for 80. Ethan Teale however batting at 10, belied his position as he calmly went about collecting the runs required as Devon were unable to take the final wicket as Wiltshire got home by 1 wicket with an over to spare. A super game of cricket, played in good spirits, and a fitting way to end what has been an enjoyable season.
Devon 197-4. Jake Pascoe 56, Lawrence Walker 61.
Wiltshire 198-9. Ben Holgrave-Graham 52, Matt Garrod 80.Ed Butler 3-29, Dan Alford 2-20, Jack Whittaker 2-17.
Wiltshire won by 1 wkt
