Devon Under 17s
2001 Season 's Report
Played 4 Won 0 Lost 0 Drawn 0 Won on First Innings 1 Lost on First Innings 1 Abandoned 2
v SOMERSET at Exmouth C.C. – Match Abandoned without a ball being bowled
v HAMPSHIRE at the Rose Bowl - Devon lost on first innings
DEVON 209 all out (B.Garner 79, N.Bettiss 37)
202-7 (J.Gibson 34, J.Toms 40*)
HAMPSHIRE 322-5 dec
v CORNWALL at Callington C.C. - Devon won on first innings
CORNWALL 266 all out (B.Glover 5-43, D.Field 3-31)
DEVON 267-5 (N.Price 55*, J.Toms 91)
v DORSET at AXMINSTER C.C. – Match Abandoned
DEVON 353-9 dec (B.Garner 88, N.Bettiss 138)
DORSET 42-1
The 2001 Squad J.Gibson (Captain), N.Price (vice captain) R.Barron, M.Bettiss, N.Bettiss, D.Field, B.Garner, B.Glover, J.Lamswood, L.Minett, O.Pitts, S.Rowe, D.Saunders, J.Toms, A.Williams
With the loss of 38% of the group programme to rain the 2001 season was undoubtedly the most depressing under 17 season to date. Based on the previous year’s progress we entered the season with high hopes and yet the season was never really allowed to get started. The first two-day match, against what appeared an exceptionally young Somerset side, was a total wash out without any glint of hope of play. This game at Exmouth would have been the ideal opportunity for the side to come to terms with two-day cricket but it was not to be. So the first opportunity for this talented squad came at the Nursery Ground of the impressive Hampshire Rose Bowl County Ground. However it was not until the second innings that Devon seemed to be getting to grips with what was required. James Gibson won the toss and despite an early interruption for rain Devon appeared to be continuing where they left off in 2000. However those who live by the sword often ….. and Richard Barron was run out at 24. The running of the openers in 2000 had been a feature of our game and it was unfortunate that our season got off to a run out start. However Brett Garner and Neil Bettiss appeared in total control of the situation as they put on 87 for the second wicket taking the side past the luncheon interval apparently in total control. Bettiss was bowled on Nelson having hit six fours in his ninety-seven ball 37 and the captain fell eight runs later. Garner and Dan Saunders took the score to 157 before Garner was bowled for an excellent 79. He faced 156 balls, hit ten fours and a six and batted 157 minutes. He was unlucky not to score his maiden county hundred. Saunders was anchoring the innings but received little support with only Nat Price and Ben Glover reaching double figures. Saunders batted 80 minutes for his 19 but the final score of 209 was very disappointing from this potentially very strong batting line up. The side had thirty overs at Hampshire that night and they finished on 115-2 having lost their opener in Price’s second over.
Despite a further interruption from rain Hampshire gave an excellent demonstration of two day batting as they scored a further 207 runs for the loss of three more wickets to declare on 322-5. Our second innings was a definite improvement with the first innings batting heroes failing and the rest contributing. The 202–7 off 49 overs was encouraging with useful contributions from Barron (26), Gibson (34), Saunders (19), Price (21), and Pitts (22). The major innings was an undefeated 40 from James Toms. He batted naturally which is a vital ingredient of his game hitting six fours and a six in his 56-minute innings facing 45 balls. The innings ended in slight controversy as the umpires called time with the dismissal of Pitts on the third ball of the last over with Devon two runs away from an additional bonus point. Fortunately they revised their views and Glover struck a four off the penultimate ball. Glover was showing his importance to the side. Lessons were being learnt that perhaps we could have picked up in the rained off match at Exmouth. The weather was going to have the final say anyway later in the season and Hampshire who were not affected at all went on to reach the finals. The difference in the two sides was not that great.
The Cornish fixture at Callington provided many heart stopping moments and typical of this wet summer was also affected by rain. Gibson’s success with the coin continued and he invited Cornwall to bat in overcast conditions with rain threatening. The outstanding bowling came from Ben Glover as Cornwall batted sensibly in difficult conditions, finishing the first day at 250-9 off 112 overs. Glover’s medium pace swing bowling was ideal for the conditions as he picked up a career best five wickets. David Field took three including the prized Laura Harper. The extras were proving a problem, a total of 40 being conceded. Next day Cornwall was enquiring how long they could bat and it was obviously the intention to leave Devon as little opportunity as possible to chase. A frustrating sixteen runs were scored on the second morning by the final pair to take their partnership to an annoying 37. The persevering Price finally bowled Fraser – his first of what would be two major contributions. Glover finished with 5-43 off seventeen and Field 3-21 off his maximum 25. Brett Garner’s leg spin was also to provide a useful contribution, only 30 being scored off his eighteen overs.
Devon was faced with 97 overs to score 267 with rain around, a slow outfield and difficult batting conditions. It was going to be interesting. Garner went for a duck, stumped off the opening bowler with the keeper standing back – say no more! Bettiss found Harpers chest at cover and Devon were in trouble at 57-4. Saunders and Price took the score to 81, when the keeper was bowled. Price was playing one of those memorable innings taking root and ensuring his side had a chance of winning. He was joined by James Toms who played just one of those innings! It is unlikely that it will be forgotten for a long time. Toms is a natural, gifted, free-hitting batsman who sometimes gets inhibited. This innings should teach him never to be inhibited again. With the reliable, safe Price at the other end proving the perfect foil, the pair took on the good Cornish attack and constructed a match-winning stand of 124 in 259 balls (43 overs) and 133 minutes. Toms reached his fifty in 88 balls (94 minutes) and then scored his next 41 runs at a run a ball in 39 minutes. He eventually holed out nine short of one of the most deserved centuries ever. He hit 14 crisp fours and a six, his power and shot selection were as good as they come. Price was playing the equally important role of rotating the strike and infuriating the opposition. Toms departure at 205 left Price with the unenviable task of ensuring the side scored a further 62 runs with potentially sixteen overs left (3.86 an over). He was immediately helped by Ollie Pitts who knows only one way to bat and the pair put on 43 with Pitts contributing a valuable 27 off 31 balls in 29 minutes hitting only two fours! So at 248-7 with seven overs left Devon needed nineteen. Aaron Williams played a superb on drive to relieve his and the spectator’s pressure and Devon cantered home with eight balls to spare. Price remained defiant on 55, which took up a mere 203 balls and took 227 minutes. He hit six fours in an epic innings of concentration, guts and determination - which rather sums him up. A truly fantastic first innings victory, the result of an awful lot of hard work by a side with guts in difficult circumstances. A win that will remain with us for a long time. And so to Axminster.
Axminster provided the side with a perfect summer’s day but the forecast was for rain on the second day. Gibson made it three out of three and the game plan was to get to 300 plus as soon possible and to get Dorset in that evening. Devon made two changes giving Luke Minett his county debut and inviting under 16 John Lamswood to keep wicket. The unfortunate two to stand down were Richard Barron and Ollie Pitts. At least Pitts took the opportunity of topping up his tan! Aaron Williams opened with Garner and the pair put on 23 but it was the second wicket partnership of 208 that would allow Devon to keep to their game plan. Garner and Bettiss simply destroyed the Dorset attack, Bettiss with a contempt that this future full county batsman perhaps found all too easy. Garner was well on the way to his maiden hundred, the previous innings stumping now in the dim and distant past as he was caught on 88. His fifty had taken 118 balls in 130 minutes and in all he batted 184 minutes facing 154 balls hitting fourteen fours on his home ground – an excellent performance. Saunders and Gibson came and went and Devon was 246-4 after 64 overs. Bettiss was still there now experimenting where to hit the ball and he found good support from Nat Price (who else). The pair put on 52 taking the score to 298 when Bettiss had had enough and in the end gave a tame catch. His 138 included twenty-four fours took 172 minutes and he faced 196 balls. His first fifty took 101 balls (95 minutes), his second 70 balls (73 minutes). It was vintage Bettiss and the stand-in county captain had already been on the phone enquiring how he was batting! Toms’ was an “after the Lord Mayor’s Show” innings and Price was run out for 23 as Devon reached 319-7. It was now time to get to 350 as quickly as possible and, although the tempo dropped, with the help of all rounder Glovers 18 and 11 from Field, Gibson called them in at 353-9 after 85 overs. Quite a reasonable performance, which really showed the side in its true colours. At close of play Dorset had faced 19 overs and were 42-1 with Lamswood conceding no byes and taking the catch off Price to dismiss the Dorset opener.
Sadly the weather-forecasters were right for a change and the season finished, as it had started, with rain and, for the third time that season, the umpires had no alternative than to call an early end to the day. Totally exasperating with both sides picking up seven points.
Perhaps the real tragedy is that, with the probable demise of the under 19 competition in 2003, this squad will not have a final chance of showing its true strength. A most frustrating time, probably the most exasperating season of my involvement with youth cricket and all because of the weather. Time to stop whining and remember my own philosophy that you can do now't about the weather and time to thank the entire squad and backroom team. James Gibson and Nat Price are a formidable captaincy team and between them they got most things right. Gibson’s disappointment at his own performances says much about his character. All he really has to do is remember his performances with the 19s and in the Premier. Price has had more than enough space in this report but all that really proves is how vital he is to this squad. Bettiss forfeited a county game so he could continue to contribute to the 17s and 19s and we are all very grateful for his unselfishness. Garner came of age with the bat but has still to find the extra edge that county cricket requires, Toms played one of the great innings of Devon youth cricket, Glover established himself as a true all rounder. Field continued to play an important part with his splendid off spin, Pitts was Pitts, Saunders will be disappointed with his own batting but at least he will now no longer be burdened with keeping wicket, Williams continued to keep up morale, fielded outstandingly and hit that on-drive. Barron, Minnett and Lamswood did nothing wrong – a top squad who will be pushing for places in this years nineteen’s. With regard to David Gibson and Elizabeth Webb read the 16s report and I repeat my thanks to John Gauler and the Devon Society of Umpires and Scorers for their outstanding contribution. Our hosts Exmouth and Axminster were brilliant but due to the weather we only had one days play in Devon but we did enjoy the food!!
The D.H.Watkins Trophy for the Young Cricketer of the Year was awarded to Nat Price.