Devon Cricket Board - DCBYA U14s 2011 Wiltshire Report

Devon Cricket Board Youth Association Under 14s
Wiltshire Match Report

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It was a difficult week for Baz West Buckland School's groundsman as the weather was not great and it hindered his preparation. We are very grateful therefore that we were able to play. The weather forecast for the day was always going to be okay and it changed into a lovely day as late afternoon arrived.

Due to the weather it was felt that the track would be a little slow and low and it would seam and swing due to the dampness and humidity. There was a difference of opinions- bat first or put them in? In my experience it is usually difficult chasing at West Buckland. Winning the toss would be important. Hodders lost it! We batted.

Marcus and Matt Skeemer opened and it was immediately apparent it would not be easy. The ball did swing and the bounce was a little erratic. The instructions were correct try and get forward, play in the "V", straight bat shots and take every scabby run, as ones and twos would be critical. Matt was first out LBW. Impressively Hodders and Jack Maunder then set about grafting for runs. Slow but surely they formed the base we needed and they put on 82 in 18 overs. Shortly after the drinks break Jack edged a widish delivery onto his stumps. Most annoying as the hard work had been done. Dan Powell followed soon after. As the overs were ticking over Seb was put up the order with instructions to play his natural game. He did exactly that hitting a couple of boundaries then he was well caught on the boundary. It however gave us the impetus we needed. Hodders approaching a well deserved 50 then tickled one down the led side and was caught behind. Henry Gater then trying to keep the run rate up was bowled by a low one. 125-6 off 38 overs. Jack Thomas went in to keep things moving and once again he relatively untroubled scored 21 not out. He was helped along the way by Bessy who scored a nice 15 before being stumped and unfortunately Jack Brazier died for the cause going for a second run, which was probably never there. Todd then got bowled behind his legs trying a flick a leg side delivery to give Jack the strike. 168 off 45 overs about par on this track with a slow lush outfield? We would hope so but we will have to wait and see how well we bowl and field.

What a splendid tea - thank you Rebecca Hoddinott and all the parents. Jack!!

We had to bowl straight and pitch the ball up and the track would then do the rest, we hoped, for us. Jack T struggled slightly and Ollie D, if anything, bowled slightly short of the length required. Marcus made the necessary change and Ben Roberts brought back after taking wickets for Bovey, took the first wicket in the 7th over coming on first change, an inswinging yorker. Fantastic! One wicket brought two, and Ollie Dawe then got the second wicket next over caught Jack Thomas off an outside edge that balloned, in the gulley. Jack was only there as Jack Maunder had to go off the field as got hit on the collar bone standing up to Ollie; Dan Powell taking over the gloves. Maunder later had an X ray and it is just badly bruised. Wiltshire then had a stand of 80; there were quite a few half chances, a missed stumping and shouts for LB. Seb Ansley who bowled really well, Bessy had for him an off day, then enticed Chevis to drive and he caught and bowled him for 46. 106-3 in the 36th over. Wiltshire if they wanted to win then had to go for the runs, which was never going to be easy on this track, particluarly if we bowled straight and took the pace off the ball. Seb took another wicket, 111- 4, caught Ollie Dawe in the deep and wickets began to tumble as they pressed for runs. Jack Brazier, brought back in as he had been away and worked at his bowling and taken wickets, took two, including Collins the opener who was again caught by buckets Ollie Dawe 10 yards in from the long on boundary. The ball was following Ollie!! Given the match circumstances Todd also bowled well - straight and pitched up but unluckily he didn't take any wickets although he didn't go for many runs. Ben Roberts then replaced Todd for the last over. No pressure there then Ben!! Wiltshire still needed 17 runs and had to go for it - they did. First ball Hodders caught a shreamer on the long on boundary running around taking off and two handed catching the ball just off the turf in front of the packed pavilion (slight exaggeration on packed - fantastic catch though). All that diving practice week one of the winter coaching paid off! There was a suicide run out next ball, then Ben bowled the next guy before 5th ball another suicide run out and Wiltshire's innings came to a close, 153 all out. We had won another close one..

We had won though and perhaps it was closer than it should have been? How had we done with our match goals? Batting we could have done better, although the pitch and match circumstances did not help. One area we should have been better at, from the first ball, given how the wicket was, trying to pick up every scabby run! Running the first run as if we are running for two and so on. That is running harder and not turning blind. Bowling - we did take two wickets in the first 10 overs which for the second match running is brilliant. We went for less than 4 an over. Excellent. We bowled only 5 maidens, bowled about 17 overs an hour and we bowled 10 extras overall. Prhaps we could improve here. Fielding, I know you think you gave 110% but did you all? We need to anticipate more, get to the ball quicker and throw it back to the keeper/ bowler quicker. Not everyone , I accept, and it may be harsh but sorry true. There needs to be even more energy than there was- again harsh but true- for the whole 45 overs. It has been a very bitty season, as you have realised and mentioned before the match and which Adam and I agree with. At the Festival we have valuable time together and these things will be ironed out and we will improve further. A lot of them are mind set matters and it is just about getting used to knowing what is expected and performing. You CAN do it! We will do it! Nike!

Thanks to West Buckland School, Baz the groundsman and Jan Witheridge, the umpires, Sue for scoring, all the parents/ grandparents etc for supporting us and Rebecca Hoddinott and team for the fantastic spread. See you Sunday...

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