This year's game with the South and West 15s was a nicely balanced affair where it is hoped both sides benefitted with the visitors deriving a greater knowledge of their squad. Devon came out winners by eighteen runs having given opportunities to two under fourteens and the under fifteen captain who had been at Loughborough with the West squad earlier in the week. The early cloud was burnt off as Exmouth provided a near perfect summers day where we were visited by a number of old boys. With Chris Read representing the 1990's with Trevor Anning and last year's captain Dan Pyle and Sam Wyatt-Hayes the last decade.
Exmouth provided another outstanding track in the middle of the square under the false impression that as the SKY pod was at Old Trafford their commentary team would need the box. Rudolph won his second successive toss and made first use of a excellent track with good bounce and carry. It was hoped after the game against Worcestershire that the batters would take the opportunity of time at the crease and put some runs in their lockers. Unfortunately only three took the opportunity offered to the full. Harvey Sargent and Noah Wright added thirty-one in thirty-five minutes before Wright was caught by Ojomoh. The fielder was the son of the former West Buckland schoolboy and subsequently England rugby international Steve Ojomoh who was at the ground. Sargent and Harvey added fifty for the second wicket off eighty balls and in forty-two minutes. This was the highest partnership of the innings. Sargent played a forward defensive and watched the ball trickle on to his stumps to be bowled by Critchley for thirty-two. In the twenty-second over the home side were 81-2 in a reasonable place to build a decent target. After his success against Worcestershire Jamie Khan hit two fours but was bowled by Organ for twelve. Devon were now past the hundred and Tom Lammonby was continuing where he had left off on Sunday unbeaten ten short of a fifty. He was now joined by Ivybridge's promising all-rounder under fourteen Abraham Kooparambil. The pairing put on thirty-seven against the visitors spinners who bowled fifty-six balls in twenty-two minutes. Kooparambil was Price's first victim as he was caught by Waddington off the second ball of the thirty-eighth over for a well constructed sixteen off thirty-three balls. The home side were now 141- 4 with seventy-six balls remaining. There was still scope for a total of two-twenty plus. Much would depend on Lammonby who was now eight past his fifty. He only added two in the fifth wicket partnership of seven when he was the second caught Waddington bowled Price of the innings. Tom Andrew was now batting and was to bat through to the end as he was first joined by Billy Rudolph for a partnership of sixteen off eighteen balls, then Ben Phillips twenty-six at a run a ball in thirteen minutes, eight with Harry Ward and finally an unbeaten nine with James Onley-Gregson who showed real intent with his approach to running. The final total of 207 was potentially good enough for their younger opponents but just looking at the other totals in this year's competition it is obvious the goal posts have been moved with the advent of T20 cricket resulting in different approaches to the playing of all forms of cricket. Three hundred now would appear to be the initial target! It is also appreciated that if this is to be regularly achieved by Devon it will very much involve all twelve members of the side making important contributions.The second lasagne of the summer was again enjoyed and targets were set for the bowlers and fielders.
Glutton for punishment Tom Lammonby opened the bowling with James Onley-Gregson and struck in his first over bowling Goldsworthy. The West's second wicket pairing added thirty-one off sixty-three balls as Devon bowled and fielded tidily. With forty on the board Matt Parker, who had taken over from Onley-Gregson, struck with keeper Ben Phillips taking his first catch of the summer. Lammonby ended his spell with figures of 7-3-8-1. He was replaced at the sea end by the captain Billy Rudolph who took the third wicket in the sixteenth over with Lammonby taking the catch. Fifty-six for three became seventy-eight for four when the captain trapped Morgan in front. Under fourteen Max Hancock was introduced in the twenty-third over and nearly had a caught and bowled first ball. The left arm spinner was joined in the attack in the twenty-eighth over by leg spinner Harry Ward. Two overs later the MIllfield Prep School record breaking bowler took his first under seventeen wicket when Harvey Sargent held the catch to end the highest partnership of the visitors innings of fifty-two withthe keeper Brewer returning to the pavilion. The West still needed seventy-eight off one hundred and twenty-balls. Another fifty-nine were added for the loss of five wickets. Harry Ward had Wyatt leg before, He then caught Pardoe for the best individual return of the innings - thirty-three to give Hancock a second. Goodman was Phillips second catch this time off Ward. Hancock who had taken 2-35 off ten was replaced by Matt Parker who with the captain's help removed the oppositions captain Kantolinna. Charlesworth, with Oxford connections, was bowled by Parker and Devon had won by eighteen runs. Parker finished with his sides best figures 10-0-34-3.
Devon under sixteens and seventeens have another seven days cricket at the Mare in 2016 and it is important they take full advantage of this outstanding facility. They, as always, hosted the game splendidly.
