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- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
DEVON youth system graduate Sam Wyatt-Haines has been offered a place on Nottinghamshire’s academy after the First Class county talent spotted him by accident.
Wyatt-Haines, who plays for Bovey Tracey and is studying at Blundell’s School, Tiverton, has come up through the Devon Cricket Board ranks from Under-10 level
Devon CCC recognised Wyatt-Haines’ promise two years ago when they first invited him to play in Development XI games. Last winter he was part of the county’s indoor coaching programme.
Wyatt-Haines dominated the batting averages for Devon U16s and U17s last season, as revealed at the Devon Youth Cricket Association awards evening staged in Exeter.
At U16 level he made 308 runs at an average of 77 with a top score of 111.
His U17 stats were also impressive: 343 runs at 57.17 with a best knock of 108. He also took seven catches, mostly in the slips. He is pictured (left) with his trophies.
The event – now in its 17th year – was hosted by Exeter Chiefs for the first time and attracted around 280 guests.
The business of the evening was to hand out awards and Wyatt-Haines took home four off them! He was batsman of the season and player of the year in the U16 and U17 sections.
Matt Theedom, Devon’s cricket development manager, announced during the evening that Wyatt-Haines had been offered a place on Notts’ academy. Additionally, wicketkeeper Jack Maunder has been invited to Trent Bridge for specialist coaching.
As Notts’ captain Chris Read is a former England wicketkeeper and patron of the DCB Youth Cricket Foundation as well as a coach, the offer can only bode well for Maunder’s prospects in the game.
Maunder also attends Blundell’s School. He plays club cricket for Heathcoat.
Richard Wyatt-Haines, Sam’s father, said his son happened to be in the right place at the right time to catch the eye of the Notts’ talent spotter.
“The man from Notts came to watch another player, but liked what he saw of Sam and wanted to have another look at him,” said Wyatt-Haines senior.
“Sam is still at school in Tiverton so Notts have arranged for a coach to work with him during the winter.
“He will be going to Antigua with the rest of the academy in February, then going back to school.
“During the school term Sam will play for Blundell’s, but from early July he will be spending more and more time with Notts.”
Among the other awards handed out at Sandy Park was the Brian Hayter Cup for services to youth cricket, which went to long-serving U10s’ and U11s team manager Ted Ashman from Ilsington.
Somerset have asked promising Devon quick bowler Ollie Sale from Tavistock to attend their academy over the winter.
Sale, who was in the U16s last season, was talent spotted during a net session by Somerset, whose scouts were impressed by what they saw.
“Ollie has the ability to bowl with good pace and is a lower-order batsman who hits the ball cleanly and is athletic in the field,” said Devon coach Matt Wood.