Back
Devon Under 16s

2004 Season's Report

 

Played 11   Won 6     Lost 1     Abandoned 4   

FRIENDLY FIXTURES

v HABARDASHERS' ASKE at Axminster C.C. – Devon won by 128 runs

DEVON                         278-5     (J.Bess 60; D.Bowser 90)

HABERDASHERS        150 all out   (M.Cooke 3-28)

 

v SOMERSET at Seaton C.C. – Match Abandoned

 

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

v CORNWALL at Veryan C.C. – Devon won on run rate

DEVON                        213-4     (J.Bess 70; G.Chappell 34; M.Cooke 60)

CORNWALL                 28-3 after 12 overs - rain

 

v WALES at Axminster C.C. – Devon lost by 1 wicket

DEVON                        140 all out   (J.Fraser 32)

WALES                        143 -9     (T.Allin 4-14)

 

v BERKSHIRE at Exmouth C.C. – Devon won by 10 runs

DEVON                         262-8     (J.Bess 35; D.Bowser 37; S.Knight 50; D.Wrench 38)

BERKSHIRE                  252-7

 

v ISLE OF WIGHT at Axminster C.C. – Devon won by 212 runs

DEVON                         327-6     (J.Bess 33; D.Bowser 55; M.Wilkinson 56; J.Porter 64*, J.Yau 37*)

ISLE OF WIGHT            115 all out   (T.Allin 4-17)

 

THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL

v OXFORDSHIRE at GKN C.C. – Match Abandoned

 

v BUCKINGHAMSHIRE at Ryde C.C. – Devon won by 40 runs

DEVON                         153-6     (D.Bowser 55*, S.Knight 34*)

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE     113 all out   (T.Allin 4-17)

 

v SUFFOLK at GKN C.C. – Match Abandoned

SUFFOLK                     91-5     (J.Porter 3-25)

 

v GLOUCESTERSHIRE at Shanklin C.C. - Devon won by 86 runs

DEVON                       215 all out   (D.Bowser 42)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE   129 all out   ( J.Porter 3-15, G.Chappell 4-34)

 

v SOMERSET at Porchfield C.C – Match Abandoned

 

THE 2004 SQUAD

J.Carr (Captain), J.Fraser (Vice Captain), R.Acton, T.Allin, J.Bess, D.Bowser, G.Chappell, M.Cooke, R.Discombe, S.Knight, J.Porter, T.Wakely, M.Wilkinson, D.Wrench, J.Yau

 

Part of my philosophy is nev er to look forward to anything and now I know why! For a few years now I had foolishly been looking forward to working with this group of players. So what happens, due entirely to the weather and one below par batting performance against Wales , the season was in many ways sadly an anti-climax. This group of cricketers was as well balanced as any to come through the system and throughout the winter goals had been set including those who would be selected in the older age group at 17s. Although the side, in appalling weather, did win the Isle of Wight Festival there was still a feeling that even more could have been achieved if the weather had relented.

Sadly the season started as it finished 51 days later in torrential rain. In total nearly seven days play was lost to the weather, by far the worst experienced in 13 years. Perhaps was it because it was our thirteenth year! Two days of non-stop rain and a call to Seaton would, in normal circumstances, have resulted in our Inter-County match with Wales being called off well in advance. However, with Wales ensconced at the Seaton Heights , it resulted in it being abandoned on the day. We decided to rearrange on the grounds that we wanted to beat the Red Dragon. In actual fact, this decision cost us entry into the national finals.

With July providing the worst weather for twelve summers, the rain relented and next day, thanks to Axminster's hard work, we were allowed to play the friendly with Haberdashers' and the side set the standard required for the 2004 season by completing a competent 128 run win. Devon scored at 5 ½ an over, bowled out their opponents in 44.1 overs, conceded less than 3½ an over, fielded and kept to the high level required, bowling only 10 wides, and the team looked a very professional unit. The visitors won the toss and invited the county side to bat. Daniel Bowser and Josh Bess responded with a partnership of 151 in 112 minutes off 187 balls. Bess was the first to depart for a fine 60 (112m; 89b; 9 fours). The pair was just one run short of the highest first wicket partnership achieved in 1990 by Jon Gosling and Tim Miller. Justin Yau lasted four balls before he tried and failed to clear the mid-wicket boundary. The third wicket pairing advanced the score to 190 before Matt Cooke chanced his arm in the same direction and lost out to a combination of the Clement brothers for 17 (21m; 29b 2 fours). Daniel Bowser was progressing towards his maiden county hundred only to fall ten short - which was still a county best. He batted for 153 minutes faced 120 deliveries and struck 11 fours and 3 sixes in an excellent performance. With 50 balls left the game plan was to increase the tempo first Ross Acton (14) and Mickey Wilkinson put on 29 in 33 balls and then the Torquay pair of Wilkinson and Jack Porter put on a quick fire 36. Both were left undefeated Wilkinson 25 (46m; 38b) and Porter 24 (12m;10b; 5 fours) and finished the innings in an excellent manner. Tom Allin struck third ball and Ross Acton in his third over as Haberdashers' were immediately on the back foot. The third wicket pairing advanced the score to 63 when Yau took the first of his five victims catching Baker off Cooke. The off spinner went on to take 3-28 off ten. Russell Discombe and Justin Yau combined to run out the dangerous Patel for a fine 45. Steven Knight then entered the attack with Yau taking catches off his first and fourth delivers he went on to take 3-12 off four. Jack Porter returned to the attack to end an annoying tenth wicket partnership of 26. It had been a fine team performance with Yau ensuring the pressure was maintained throughout the innings. This was an excellent pipe opener when the attributes required for 50 over cricket were ably demonstrated.

The swirling mist, that had been omnipresent on the journey down to the well tendered Veryan ground, ultimately had the final say, when at 6.00 o'clock the game was abandoned, conveniently after the latest edition of Neighbours ! Fortunately Devon had bowled the ten overs necessary to create a result and they won two vital Inter-County points on run rate. On the depressing journey to Veryan through mist and rain it had been reassuring to receive a text message from James Gibson reporting that all was well at our final destination. Time then for a wrong turning and a five mile detour that wasted twenty minutes – manager late again! James Carr called correctly and despite the risk of rain decided to bat. In difficult, moist conditions Daniel Bowser and Josh Bess batted well to within three runs of their second successive century partnerships. This time Bess was the dominant partner and the first to fall chipping Bone to Snell for an excellent 83 ball 70 having hit 12 fours. His partner, well set, then committed the sin of sins and did not bat on, falling nine balls later giving Libby the charge and was comfortably stumped by Richards. After a quiet start the two left-handers, Gary Chappell, making his debut at 16s, and Matt Cooke, put on 101 in 21 overs. The pair reinforced the great belief in partnerships of their coach, James Gibson, and they complemented each other with outstanding running and orthodoxy from Chappell, and Cooke stretching the coaching manual to the limit, inviting his hosts to post a long stop for his latest improvisation. Cornwall did not take the chances offered but bowled at an excellent rate in now increasingly misty conditions. Cooke batted for 76 minutes, faced 76 balls and struck 7 fours and a six in his 60 when he holed out. Chappell's contribution had been equally important and, at the demise of Cooke, he was joined by his under 15 colleague David Wrench also making his debut. At 208 Chappell unselfishly gave his wicket away for 34 after 90 minutes at the crease and facing 65 balls. Wrench and Jack Porter then ran everything and Devon finished on 213-4. After tea it was essential that Devon bowled at least ten overs and fortunately they got in 12 before the umpires called the players off at 5.04 when the former swirling mist just got stuck and they could no longer make contact with the scorer! Ross Acton picked up two wickets, his first caught at short leg by Porter and the second a caught and bowled. Tom Allin removed Libby's centre stump and at 28-3 off twelve the visitors were well placed. At 6.00pm it was decided we could make the long trip home. Veryan Cricket Club had been delightful hosts doing everything in their power to make the game possible.

A brilliant bowling and fielding performance could not make up the lost ground caused by a below par batting performance in the vital re-arranged Inter-County game against Wales . James Carr won the toss and batted with James Fraser, returning after injury, breaking up the Bess/Bowser opening partnership. On a typical Axminster track Bess was the first to depart at 33 bowled while pulling. Bowser came in and, with Fraser driving effectively on the up, put on 16. The two left handers were then confronted with left arm spinner Fisher, whose batting was to prove critical later in the day, and decided that the sweep was the best option, six sweeps later Bowser was bowled. Cooke came in and was immediately run out by a brilliant left handed pick up and throw from square leg and was the only unlucky Devonian batter in the day. This was to prove to be Cooke's last appearance at 16s and it says much for the strength of the squad that they coped without their leading all-rounder. 57-4 became 57-5 as Fraser was stumped off Fisher for the side's top score of 32. It became 67-5 as Jack Porter was caught flicking to square leg. We were then in dire trouble with 27 overs remaining and five wickets left and the game plan was rapidly revised to let's get to 150 first . Fortunately this side does bat deep and the required application and ability took the side to 140. A golden rule in limited overs cricket is to bat the overs and, on this vital occasion, the rule was broken as disappointingly 29 balls remained unused, which with the benefit of hindsight would have proved vital. First Tom Allin and Justin Yau put on 28, taking the score up to 95-6 with the loss of Allin which was soon 95-7 as Yau was trapped leg before. The eighth wicket yielded another 14 as Wilkinson was timing the ball well, but Carr was then Roberts's second leg before victim. A vital 25 came from the ninth pairing of Acton and Wilkinson but at 134 it was critically Wilkinson who was back in the pavilion for a 25 ball 22. Six more runs were put on by the last wicket pairing of Acton and Knight but, of most importance, the final demise left four plus overs unused. We felt that the 20 additional runs these balls should have provided would have made it a contest and the side would have to pull out all the stops to retain top place in the Western League. To the side's great credit they pulled out all the stops bar one - the vital tenth wicket but the feeling of anticlimax at the end of the game was marked as the side put every ounce of effort into recovering the game. With James Fraser, still feeling his way back from injury, bowling at 70% it was his opening partner Tom Allin who was on fire as he removed both Stenner and Garland in the sixth over to leave the visitors 8-2. He bowled the opener and Yau took a smart catch behind to remove Garland . Allin finished his first spell of six overs with the remarkable figures of 2-2. The second wicket brought the 2003 Under 15 Cricketer of the Year , Ben Wright, to the crease. He fell 26 runs later brilliantly caught by Matt Cooke at mid off, driving Acton, with great power, on the up. This was the vital wicket the side needed and they kept nibbling away. Next to go was opener Harries run out by the combination of Knight and Yau. 53-4 became 78-7 as first Wilson fell foul of the second outstanding catch by the tumbling Allin at deep mid wicket, then drinks brought the demise of Pass as Bess held a catch over his head at extra cover, a second wicket for Porter. Beacham chanced his arm after a misfield - Tom Allin tracer bulleted the ball in to Yau for the batter to be run out. Vitally the tide then turned with Fisher providing the game with the one innings of real substance – he was just magnificent showing wonderful temperament scoring 35 of a vital 42 eighth wicket partnership. He was undefeated on 67 (90 mins; 82 balls) - the genuine match winning innings. Carr played his final hand by bringing back his openers and it so nearly paid off as first Allin (outstanding figures of 4-14 off ten) bowled the stubborn Jones and then had Roberts caught somehow by Wilkinson at backward point - another magical catch. Worryingly Fisher was still there with 11 runs needed and importantly the openers were coming to the end of their allocation. Interestingly in our discussions and deliberations on this match Fisher's batting had warranted no comment – there must be a moral in that. When Acton returned to the attack he had Fisher trapped stone dead in front but it was off a no ball and that was that as the runs were scored. The noise from the Welsh contingent as the final runs were taken said it all. Another 20 and……………. The side put on a truly magnificent performance in the second half of the game with Tom Allin the Devon man of the match with Fisher his Welsh counterpart but the first half had completely destroyed the side's chances of advancing further in this competition. Wales came out winners for the second successive year in another close contest, this time by one wicket. Unfortunately following the game an unofficial complaint was made by one of our umpires, which was the result of our over enthusiasm in a very tight situation. Wales went on to share the title as rain resulted in the final being abandoned – if only! The side vowed not to lose another game this year.

When a side scores the seventh highest total at this age group you have to be optimistic but when one of the better age group bowling and fielding squads then concedes the tenth highest aggregate you have to be totally depressed and that was the emotion that was experienced at the excellent Exmouth ground. It was a strange curate's egg performance but a total reversal of the one put on against the Welsh. James Carr won the toss and batted on a belter. Generally the side batted really well as a unit with the openers, Fraser and Bess, putting on 64 off 70 balls. Fraser fell first, repeating his dismissal against the Cornish 17s at St Austell last year. He was struck on the pad and this time there was an energetic appeal for leg before, which was not given, but he was distracted by the appeal and the ball eventually rolled on to the stumps. Bowser then joined Bess and thirty-two were added for the second wicket when Bess was caught after 53 productive minutes at the crease. Steven Knight, who had been promoted to make a point to the selectors, put on 49 in 67 balls with Bowser, who was to be in excellent form throughout the summer, but he was now in three minds - sweep it, whack it or leave it – he unfortunately choose the latter and was bowled around his legs. Meanwhile Knight had been making his point and was now joined by under 15 David Wrench, who was being given his first real opportunity to bat at this level. The encouraging result was 51 runs off 67 balls of which the Plympton youngster scored 38 off 43 balls when he was caught. Knight approaching his maiden county fifty had suddenly lost the strike when he was joined by his captain. He duly reached the magical figure but then promptly got out! James Carr also had a point to make and was doing so when he then fell for a 13 ball 18. Devon was now 220-6 after 44.2 overs having raised the 200 in 42 overs. Yau and Porter fell in the cause and it was left to the Bradninch pairing of Ross Acton and Gary Chappell to steer the side to a decent target. They put on 23 off 18 balls and at tea all were well satisfied with 262-8.

This should have been a doddle but the omens were not good. It took until the twenty-first over to make the initial breakthrough by which time Berkshire had scored 71 as Yau did his first business of the day, stumping Raja off Knight. At 97 and in the thirty-second over he repeated the exercise this time off Carr. Devon was obviously satisfied with its position although Howell was batting through and with composure. At the half way stage Berkshire were 81-1 apparently out of the game needing to score at 7.24 an over, with 20 overs remaining they needed 169 runs, now over 8 an over, the game was surely over. Perhaps this was our downfall as we appeared complacent but the visitors had other ideas as first their captain Ferrar belted a 22 ball 40 with far too much ease hitting 5 sixes. Howell then increased the tempo having taken 89 balls to get to fifty he took another 36 to score his hundred. The pressure was now on Devon and in the main they did not respond well. It took a brilliant pick up and magnificent throw from sweeper Jack Porter and, with the assistance of Yau, the opposition's captain was run out – this was critical as another couple of overs from him would have won the match for his side. At 155-3 with 79 balls to score 108 the odds were still on the home side. However the 39 th , 40 th and 41st overs went for 25 and after 43 runs had been added for the 4 th wicket Ross Acton fortunately caught and bowled Hudson for 17. Sixty-four were now needed off 48 balls, still 8 an over but, with wickets in hand and the overs reducing, the rate was becoming very gettable. Carr then turned to Allin and Porter to stem the tide. First Porter and Yau completed another first rate run out which was then eclipsed by a brilliant direct hit from Acton . 218-6 after 45.1 overs. Tom Allin then bowled Howell for a 131 ball 108 and the hearts at last slowed down. The final score of 252-7 was a remarkable performance by Berkshire and proved what can be achieved! The comparison of Devon in the field against Wales and in this match was so marked that it was very disconcerting, although the captain was not helped in his decision making by having to ensure that some players were given an opportunity in this match.

Reassuringly the side nearly completed the perfect 50 over performance against the Isle of Wight , the only failure being to allow their opponent's ninth wicket partnership to put on 36 taking them past the hundred. It was a day of records and firsts. On a rare decent summer's day, but with the threat of thundery showers later, Carr won the toss and batted. Bowser and Bess resumed their opening partnership and failed miserably putting on only 75 in virtually thirteen overs when Bess, not for the first time, played a careless shot and was caught for a 40 ball 33. Sixty-five was the second wicket partnership as Mickey Wilkinson continued his good form with another in form batter Daniel Bowser. At the half-way stage Devon was well placed at 140-1. Bowser was first to his fifty but once again did not bat on, giving the Island their second catch. Sandford's Russell Discombe was in at four and put on 45 with Wilkinson who was now approaching his maiden county 50. Discombe lost patience, gave Whitfield the charge and was stumped. 185-3 became 188-5 as first Wilkinson reached his fifty and then was bowled by Russell. Bowser's 55 had taken 70 balls and Wilkinson reached the same score in 67. Poor Tristan Wakeley making his county debut, allowed nerves to take over, chased a wide one and was caught behind first ball. He was unlucky later in the day, having fielded well, he had two catches dropped off his bowling! With two new batters, Carr and Porter, at the crease 35 were added for the sixth wicket, when confusion reigned and Carr departed run out. 223-6 with 63 balls left, the home side was well placed to put in a charge. Porter, fresh from his maiden county 50 against Middlesex at 17s, was batting with his partner in crime from the same match, Justin Yau. The pair proceeded to help break two records as they put on 104 to break the previous seventh wicket record partnership held by Nat Price and James Toms. In doing so they took their team to a new record team total of 327 as they scored at just under ten an over for 10. Porter completed his second county fifty in a week and his first at this age group, being undefeated on 64 (49 balls; 51 mins; 4 fours and a six) and, equally importantly, Yau was not out for a 31 ball 39.

Our visitors were never in contention or within reach of the required 6.54 runs an over ,, as first Allin removed both openers and then Acton sent the Island 's number three back. 36-3 became 75-8 after 23 overs, as Acton picked up a second, Allin a third, Carr got his first and Discombe had two. Devon was catching and fielding well in a very professional performance. However thirty-six annoying runs were put on for the ninth wicket, which was the result of a couple of missed chances off Wakeley, the unlucky debutant, but Nelson struck with the return of Allin (4-19 off 10) and Acton brought a conclusion to proceedings after 38.4 overs with Devon coming out victors by 212 runs. Importantly, throughout the game, Devon had demonstrated the attitude required to ensure the season would reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Having again left my cross trainers (appropriate as I was very cross) at home for the third time in five years, I had to make a return visit the Seaton sports shop. However the new pair was a complete waste for, as soon as you arrived at the Seaton ground, it was obvious that there would be no play on the first day and a 7.30 a.m. call to Axe Farm the next morning confirmed that this friendly would be a complete wash out. All one could hope was that the two sides were more fortunate in the Isle of Wight where they were due to meet up the following week on the final day of the Festival – some hope!

After a reasonable crossing to the Isle of Wight that allowed us to meet up with our old friends from the Gloucestershire 17s match the previous week, Paula Radcliffe withdrew from the marathon and most importantly we viewed a poor weather forecast for the week. We woke to incessant rain and realised that our game plan of winning five out of five this week might have to be modified. We rang around trying to find some activities to fill the day: paintball, laser, bowling, karts, and cinema. We phoned the organisers and were told to travel to the ground for lunch. We eventually left the hotel and, in view of the problems the previous year, found GKN with surprising ease and were greeted with the news that we would have an early lunch and start at 1.30 p.m. – it sounded promising. We took a tour of East Cowes and got feed up of waiting in the long queue to Newport . We were advised that if we couldn't see the distant aerial masts it was raining – what masts! We took lunch, marvelled at a wonderful American football move between Wilkinson and Chappell and departed for the golf range and the go-karts. Look out when some of these players are old enough to drive next year they are simply dangerous! Our quick bowler was suddenly rammed and his fellow opening bowler tore his trousers in another pile up. Returning home the mini bus driver had trouble with the traffic lights as the sun shone and the day ended in very playable conditions – if it only had not rained so hard. Now it had to be four out of four.

It rained overnight but the sun shone and we left for Ryde. You got an early impression that they were keen for us to play and Buckinghamshire, who had played and won the previous day, were very keen. A strip was cut and we started a 50 over game at noon , the only full game to be played on the Island that day. Bucks won the toss and fielded, no surprise there as it had rained for two weeks and covers are not a standard form of equipment on this sun filled island. Devon would have to graft and our openers Josh Bess and Daniel Bowser, now fortunately over his back problem, put on 32 at three an over and then Bess was out caught, resulting in another moan to this very talented opener about his careless shot selection from the manager. Chappell and Bowser added 18 as the Bradninch player also got caught. Fraser decided to hit his way into form added 4 and was stumped. The score became 55-4 as Wrench lasted two balls, playing tentatively when in normal circumstances he would have whacked it. Bowser, demonstrating why he was the 2004 leading batsmen, just patiently batted on against the spinners. Jack Porter was next to fall, a similar dismissal to Wrench – 57-5. James Carr leading from the front brought an exciting attacking flair to the proceedings and added 37 before he too was caught. The final pairing of Steve Knight and Bowser then advanced the score to 153-6, putting on 59 invaluable runs in 11 overs. Knight, proving again that he was able to make valuable contributions when given the chance, ended on a 36 ball 34. Bowser was supreme holding everything together with consummate skill, batting through the innings for a 128 ball 55. The scorer advised that we must bowl our opponents out for less than 114 to gain a bonus point.

A stiff breeze resulted in Russell Discombe opening and unselfishly bowling into it and he promptly dismissed both openers, having Hales caught behind off his second ball and bowling Webster with his 27 th . Fraser bowled two maidens out of his opening three and 17-2 becomes 18-3 as Allin entered the attack and Bess caught Mould. Bucks then slump to 32-6 as Wrench held a chance off Allin, Carr bowled Stevens with a big turner, Bowser snapped up Thompson off Porter. Disappointingly forty-two were added for the seventh when Carr held Massey off Chappell. Bonus point now looked possible again. Allin took his third and fourth wickets with catches by Yau and Porter, 94- 9 and twenty runs to get the vital wicket. Buckinghamshire's Australian Andrews was still at the crease and was so confident of gaining his side the bonus point that he decided to score only in fours and sixes. He ignored the singles, yet his partner did not seem a complete rabbit. Andrews was missed on the long on boundary and these four runs took his side to 113. With now just one run needed for the bonus point the captain brought up all the fielders who were previously patrolling the boundary ropes and hey presto Porter catches Andrews off his own bowling – poetic justice and a vital bonus point. We were back on track for four out of four.

We woke to blue sky, bright sunshine, the shorts were out and we arrived at GKN to find the stumps in the ground. For the second day our opponent's manager would umpire. Over the years we have been truly fortunate with our umpires Monty Thorns, Percy Govier and now new boy Jim Anning. We tend to take our umpires and their outstanding organisation for granted – wrong, we will never do so again as during the match a parent in shorts takes over from the Manager! James Carr invited Suffolk to bat and the prospects were excellent as the sun tan lotion was in full use for the first time for weeks. Fraser made the initial breakthrough having Butler caught at gulley by Porter, Clark retired hurt as he, Davey and Nunn put on 53. Disconcertingly Carr was having problems with his direction and when fielding had difficulty with a ball hit over his head and at drinks advised Gibbo that the eye operated on earlier in the season was playing up. James Gibson sensibly persuaded Carr to leave the field and that was the end of his season – what a disappointment for this genuine, whole hearted cricketer. Vice captain Fraser took over and dived full length at long on to remove Davey off Porter. Clark returned, Allin and Yau combined to run out Dunn and Wilkinson caught the opener, again off Porter – 85-4. Wilkinson then took a truly stunning catch off Porter to dismiss Heathcoat. Mickey's outstanding contribution in the field was a vital ingredient throughout the season. The aerials were in clear view in a deep blue sky but there were now some dark clouds behind the pavilion – surely this was not right. In a twenty minute burst they offload and the square and outfield were flooded – game over. We travelled back in sun shine and learnt that it had not rained at Ventnor and Derbyshire our nearest rivals were playing – they won for the second time in the week but again did not pick up a bonus point. Would the five wickets we had taken that day be useful in the final countdown? The trip in the evening to the cinema was eventful, as it transpired that the reserved seats were actually for the 3.30 p.m. matinee and not the 8.30 p.m. performance! One by one we were removed from our seats until the error was spotted, although Tom Allin did not complain as he was encircled by a group of young ladies. The actual film - The Village , the fascinating choice of our film critic Wilko, was interesting but we were still explaining the plot to some at the Annual Luncheon in October. Now we had to win our last two games of the season.

GCSE results day started fair as we travelled for our one local game at Shanklin in high hopes. Mobiles were in full use as good news from Devon filtered through. Fraser lost the toss and Devon were inserted. The first seven batsmen all got into double figures with Bess (caught again), Wilkinson, Fraser, Wrench and Knight all out in the twenties. Bowser fell eight short of a fifty but annoyingly none of them had batted on. If this had been the first match of the season, a rocket is likely to have been ignited. Acton scored an undefeated 15, Chappell blasted, well a five ball four, and eleventh man Porter looked like one as Devon was all out for 215 with an over to spare – simply not good enough or were they demob happy – though the GCSE results were brilliant. The scorer advised that to get the vital bonus point we had to bowl Gloucester out for 161 or less.

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch – clean plates a clear guide and oh those sweets. Forty-two for the first wicket, as two of the players who had played against the 17s at Bristol University showed they do have some ability with the bat, became 73-5 as Porter took three, well after his batting he had to be in the side for his bowling, and Allin and Chappell one apiece. Knight took two and, despite the sixth wicket partnership putting on 39, all was going well, although it seemed that the captain was being put under unnecessary pressure as everyone now wanted to bowl! Chappell took three more to finish on 4-34 off ten to complete his metamorphosis into an under 16 spin bowler. His two overs of seam at Exmouth against Berkshire seemed years ago. Devon bowled out their opponents for 129 and picked up the vital bonus point and were now joint top with Derbyshire, who had completed one more game and had won again. Yau rang his mate Waller to get details of the Somerset-Derby match and we learnt that we had critically taken more wickets in our 2.33 games than the northern county – the weather forecast for Friday was horrendous.

Was it October? The sky was black and it was p………. down. We, in the form of James Carr, said our thanks to the Hazelwood, they unexpectedly agreed to have Wrench back next year – relief all round and we travelled, for the first time, despondently to Porchfield C.C.. At this attractive modern ground, the covers were pointless as we were greeted by Somerset for the second time this season with actually no prospect of play. We received the final tables; our extra wicket won us the festival – what an anti climax. Had we played five we are confident we would have won five but to win this way was not how we would have liked it. We enjoyed another good lunch and travelled to Plessey to pick up the winner's shield – it is not a perpetual shield complains Carr, but we can keep this one says Gibbo . We arranged an early ferry and departed somewhat despondently as Festival winners, the first time in nine attempts but we did deserve to win, we were the best side on the Island . The crossing was brightened up by a very attractive blond who directed the mini bus on and off the ferry. We journeyed home mainly in daylight – a first, and heard that wretched Something in Memphis for the thousandth time and entered the Moto services to Its Over and indeed it was, a season of high expectancy ruined by the worst weather experienced in 13 years involvement.

It was a pleasure to have been involved with this group which unusually had stayed together over the years. I often refer to Jonathan Mears comprehensive annual reports and 2004 was the first year that the majority of the squad had come through together. They were unlucky to lose Matt Cooke to injury but they coped really well without him, reinforcing their all round strength. Twelve members of this squad were involved with the 17s and, despite that side's disappointing end product, will be well prepared for the two day game in 2005. Records were broken, three maiden county fifties were scored, two batsmen, Bowser and Bess, averaged over 30 and opening bowler Tom Allin had an exceptional season taking three four fors at a new record low average of 8.38 a piece, his inexpensive bowling was a vital factor. The entire squad can bat and most can bowl, they field to a good standard and are a good bunch of people. Justin Yau will be disappointed with his batting but kept to his normal high standard and ensures that the tempo in the field is right. I can now understand why I was foolish enough to look forward to the 2004 season!

The annual thanks to Seaton, Axminster and Exmouth Cricket Clubs for their outstanding hosting of our fixtures, to John Gauler and all our umpires – particularly of course our new Festival umpire Jim Anning, who has agreed to a return visit to the Island next year. James Carr, followed in the fine footsteps of previous captains, but throughout the season there was a concern over his eyesight following his mid season operation. The way he fought the problem was a tribute to his commitment and character. In his 1½ games James Fraser filled the position with consummate ease and I am sure after two depressing seasons will look to come off his full run in 2005 and regain the rhythm in his bowling that has been missing over the past twenty-four months. James Gibson was again excellent and inspirational allowing me to extend my involvement in county cricket. Final thanks to our travel manager, statistician, tactician and scorer – Elizabeth Webb. I have already vowed not to look forward to 2005.

Tom Allin was the side's Bowler of the Year and Daniel Bowser the Batsman of the Year. The Cecil Wensley Player of the Year Cup was awarded to Daniel Bowser for his vital contributions with the bat throughout the season.