Somerset v Devon

Match Report

FLAT DEVON FAIL TO HIT HEIGHTS

In what turned out to be very close game the Under 12's slipped to a disappointing defeat against local rivals Somerset . The match was played at Millfield Preparatory School and with half team getting lost the warm up was delayed and this may have led to a very flat performance in the field in what should have been a lively and up tempo fielding effort. The bowling was generally good but the lack of enthusiasm and dynamic activity during the fielding was poor by Devon 's high standards. An element of complacency may have set in after three comfortable wins but this attitude ultimately led to the side's demise.

On what looked like a decent wicket Somerset batted first but soon lost opener Blanchard, bowled by Jamie Overton for 8. There followed a partnership between the impressive looking Hayes and Jenkins, Hayes in particular played a series of text book extra cover drives. He was undone by a good one from Matt Golding and was caught by Harrison Folland for a well made 34. Jenkins was joined by Lewis-Williams and together they added a further 33 before Jenkins perished to Golding on the stroke of lunch. At 90-3 from 25 overs the match was fairly evenly balanced. It needed a big effort from Devon after the break to try and halt the Somerset charge. Matt Golding picked up his third wicket and at 114-4 Devon looked like to be taking the upper hand. Unfortunately Lewis-Williams was then dropped and he made Devon pay by hitting 77 from 88 balls to take Somerset past 200 and a total of 219-9. Matt Golding with 3-35 and Jamie Overton 3-19 were the pick of the bowlers whilst Craig Overton picked up 2-42 and Osama Alam bowled very well for his 1-25.

Devon 's reply got off to a bad start as they lost opener Tom Ansell to the second ball of the innings. Skipper Matt Golding soon followed. The impressive Craig Eaves continued to make good strides in Devon colours as together with Craig Overton they added 47 for the 3 rd wicket before Eaves fell to a catch behind. The normally reliable middle order failed to spark on this occasion as wickets fell at regular intervals. Craig Overton did bat very well for his 67 although he was hampered in his approach by the loss of wickets at the other end. The next best partnership was Jamie Overton and Edward Woolcott who added 30 for the final wicket as Devon were bowled out in the 47 th over and slipped to a 23 run defeat. Building partnerships and two batsman playing a big innings were the key to winning, this Devon did not do and it will be need to be improved upon as the season progresses. Well done to Somerset who on the day were the better team and fully deserved their win in what turned out to be a good game of cricket.