Cornwall U15s v Devon U15s Diamond Jubilee Match Truro CC 1st and 2nd June 2016

Thanks to Malcolm Broad’s initiative Cornwall U15s played a two day match against Devon U15s to celebrate 60 years of Cornwall and Devon Youth playing against each other; the first match being held between the u15s at Liskeard in 1956.

Hosted and played at Truro CC on two lovely warm sunny days using the u17s Rules and Regulations but each side being able to bat their full squad of 12, Devon won the toss and decided to bat.

James Degg and James Doble who had finished the 2015 U14s’ season batting together as the opening partnership and doing well, opened and the runs soon began to flow with Doble punishing anything lose particularly through wide mid wicket - be careful, look to play a little straighter with the full face! James Degg soon got into his stride too, playing some nice confident flicks off his legs and sumptuous drives and the score after 10 overs 47-0- we would have been more than happy with that in a 50 over match! The runs continued to flow until in the 22 over Dobs played across the line, missed the ball and was adjudged LBW. 99-1; so disappointing 1 run short of a century opening partnership something this side have not had for a long time. Ben Sapiecha joined Degg and at lunch Devon 124-1 off 29 overs.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch, 15 runs later Degg played a lovely pull shot for 4 and then next ball did not quite execute the same shot and hit the ball to square leg. 139-2 off 32 overs and a stand of 40 with Sapiecha. Enter the debutant Robert (Bob) Whittaker and untroubled he and Saps took the score along, both players playing some handsome shots Bob the shot of the day along the ground through extra cover, when Saps is caught Harvey 51.  204-3 off 45 overs. Max Mejzner  soon missed timed a drive and is caught in the covers and Sam Taylor captain in James Onley-Gregson’s absence and Bob take the score on to 254 in the 58 over when Tayls bottom hand comes in a bit early and he is caught. Sam Carpenter joins Bob, who goes to his maiden County 50 before Carps gives Kent an easy return catch. 270-6 off 64. Bob and Byron Knowles then put on 42 in 9 overs as Devon pick up the run rate as we are thinking of declaring around the 350 mark and giving Cornwall 1- 1/12 hours batting before the close of play. Bob is run out going for the runs for a super 63 and then Bryon and Jonty Walliker crack on with the scoring before Byron is out brilliantly caught 35 on the boundary by Trenoweth. 324-8 off 76. Jonty is then bowled and Devon declare 339-9 off 76.3 overs; Tayls enjoyed calling his side in! This had been a very good innings; it was very pleasing to see so many batsmen get runs although perhaps disappointing no one went on to score big; players looking far more confident too. It was also a first time the side had reached in excess of 300 which is absolutely fantastic – you have done it once so do it again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devon bowled 39 overs before the close of play, 19 of them maidens as Cornwall set about trying to reach Devon’s total. The excellent Karl Leathley batted til close losing Bray, Edgcombe and Pacoe on the way James Degg and Kersley Sutton taking the wickets one a sharp slip catch by Saps off Degg – just as well it was above waste height though Saps! Sutts also bowled a couple of excellent bouncers which was quite an achievement on this pitch. Lessons to be learnt by Devon in such circumstances we need to make every ball count and make the batsmen play more! Nevertheless it had been a very long pleasing day - good for early season confidence. Cornwall 65-3 off 39 overs.

Day two started with photos before Devon took to the field once more. Leathley continued as he had batted the night before totally at easy and unruffled playing without any risks and accumulating runs. He soon lost Matthew Lello brilliantly caught low down by Elliott in the gully off Kersley Sutton, who was bowling with real pace. Enter the maroon helmeted Will Trenoweth who from ball one played with intent and along with Leathley they started to recover the situation for Cornwall. Devon tried hard, nearly everyone in the squad bowling, different fields etc but as the ball got older and with the pitch it was difficult to prise them out. Leathley and Trenoweth both reached their 50s, pretty much chanceless, there was a caught and bowled when Trenoweth ought to have been out, before eventually Kers bowled Trenoweth (74) to break the outstanding 144 partnership which had put Cornwall in with a chance of winning; Leathley perhaps having to carry his bat which would be an amazing feet given the warmth and length of time he would have to bat. Harry Trethewey and Leathley then put on 56 before Sam Carpenter yorked Leathley who had by now reached his excellent century. His innings was outstanding; he played and missed only once to Elliott, he left the ball well and played to his strengths. The main delivery which seemed to trouble him was the Yorker which he managed to keep out on a number of occasions until Carps bowled him. Well done young man, I repeat an excellent innings! Cornwall 277-6 off 99 overs. Degg then got Trethewey to miss hit to Woody at mid off, he was dropped not long before and 283-7 soon became 289-8 when Sam Carpenter took another wicket, caught behind by Dobs who was keeping as Tayls had injured a finger in the warm up. That soon became 293-9 Carps who along with Degg and Kers had bowled really well, again in the wickets. Jacob Harvey and James Dark however did everything they could to take Cornwall home but the late introduction of Saps did the trick first having Harvey caught by Byron and next ball bowling Townsend. Cornwall 325-11 (all 12 batting remember) Devon winning by 14 runs on the first innings basis- it being 5 o’clock and no time for the second innings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had been a very exciting match, (too tense for me and many of the parents’ liking for the last three hours or so!), some excellent cricket had been played by both sides with the outstanding knock by Karl Leathley who batted 99 overs for his brilliant 112; a very suitable thrilling match to celebrate 60 years of cricket between the two neighbouring Counties!

Full credit must be given to all the players who had not played this format before and who had to concentrate so long on two lovely warm June Cornish days. It will bode them well for two or even three day cricket at u16 and u17s level in the future and the rest of this season.

Our sincere thanks to Malcolm Broad, CSCA for organising the fixture, the sponsors for making it possible, the umpires and scorers and all at Truro CC especially the grounds man and ladies who prepared and served the meals. Thank you. To the next 60 year!

SCORECARD