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The Under 17 2005 Season 

The 2005 Squad J.Carr (captain), J.Porter (vice captain), T.Allin, R.Acton, S.Barlow, J.Bess, D.Bowser, G.Chappell, M.Cooke, S.Knight, J.Smith, M.Wilkinson, D.Wrench, J.Yau.

After the disappointments this squad suffered in 2004, mainly as a direct result of an abysmal summer and the loss of Matt Cooke to a long term injury, 2005 started with real optimism and enthusiasm. Eleven members of the squad had been involved in the below par under 17 season in 2004 but would have gained useful experience. The previous season had resulted in relegation, due mainly to an inability to bat in the first innings, and this resulted in Devon playing in a weaker group than normal. The objective from the outset was to win the division with comfort, hopefully with some outright victories. The first was achieved by 26 points over nearest rivals Gloucestershire, who had also been relegated in 2004. Although the side enjoyed five wins out of five on first innings, the outright win proved elusive. With the exception of rain over the weekend prior to the game at Sandford that made batting difficult, the weather was kinder and a record breaking season was the result. We will never know what the outcome would have been had we clung on to our division 2 place in 2004 but Oxfordshire ultimately won promotion and this group of Devon players had been one of the top three sides in the country in 2003!

The season started with two broiling days at Exmouth as Devon faced their near neighbours from across the Tamar for the first time in two years. Cornwall were cooked in the sun as Matthew Cooke broke the Devon individual batting record and Devon came out winners on first innings by 74 runs. In hindsight the season could have gone almost immediately up in smoke, as, although the match started well with Devon winning the toss and batting, it sadly went down hill rapidly when the home side was reduced to 16-3, and then 40-4 all in the first hour! Cornwall’s opening bowler Anthony Angove finished his opening spell with the splendid figures of 4-17 off six overs. The under 16 Cornish all rounder had already represented the full county side in 2005 and looked an exceptional prospect and he is now working with the Nottinghamshire academy. He destroyed the top order, helped in part by the home batters shot selection, as Josh Bess decided to put him into the recreational ground only to be caught at fine leg, Dan Bowser chased a wide one and Steve Knight miscued to slip. David Wrench gave Cooke some support putting on 24 before being trapped in front trying to whip through mid wicket the fourth ball of the final over of Angove’s opening spell. Vice captain Jack Porter got his head down and with Cooke took the side up to 120. With lunch beckoning Porter was dropped but unfortunately did not take the hint and play for the interval, being bowled on the penultimate ball of the last over of the morning session - surprisingly poor cricket from this intelligent young man. The pair had put on 80 vital runs off 114 balls. After lunch Mickey Wilkinson was to play his first important part in a season of many personal highs as he put on 119 with Cooke, five short of the sixth wicket record partnership. They took the score up to 239 with both past their fifties and both scoring 57 runs in the partnership. Having spent 82 minutes at the crease and hitting 9 elegant fours, Wilkinson was bowled for a then county best of 57. Cooke was now serenely past his maiden county hundred. Cooke’s outstanding batting talent has often flattered to deceive, mainly in the forties, but this innings was just one of those exceptional knocks that was just an absolute pleasure to watch. His ton had come off 113 balls and had taken 131 minutes, half the job done, now he set himself up for the double hundred. James Carr looked in good form putting on 38, when, after 25 balls, he gave a catch to Bone. At 277-7 the first team target was still 23 runs away but Justin Yau helped Cooke to pass his 150 and gain the final batting point putting on a vital 70. Yau was a revelation in 2005 discarding his apparent carefree or to be more precise careless attitude to batting of 2004 and his end of season average of 60 was a true testimony to his major contribution with the bat, mainly when his side was in some difficulty. He had done his bit and provided Angove with his fifth victim but his sensible batting had demonstrated the depth of the side’s batting line up. Enter under 16 opener Gary Chappell who showed his true ability in getting Cooke to 200 and the side to 383 when Carr called them in after an undefeated 36 run ninth wicket partnership. Cooke’s double century had taken 302 minutes; he faced 218 balls hitting 32 fours and three sixes in not only a record breaking knock but a truly brilliant one. The previous record score was 191 and had been set by the new Somerset vice captain Matthew Wood who had scored his runs against Hampshire at the same ground in 1998. Wood turned up after close of play to offer his personal congratulations but Cooke unfortunately had to attend a presentation evening and the record breaking pair missed each other. An innings few of those who had the pleasure to witness will ever forget, played under real pressure from the outset (40-4), in front of the new Somerset talent scout Peter Anderson and we shall never know how the season would have panned out if Cooke and his colleagues had not batted with such character and skill. The declaration had left Cornwall with nineteen overs left in the day’s play and Devon needed early wickets and they failed miserably, with left hander opener Rowe looking a neat and compact batsman. Close of play left Cornwall to score 339 off a minimum of 102 overs on the second day - 3.32 an over.

On this excellent Exmouth track the Cornish openers put on another 71 runs in far too comfortable a manner and at 115-0 off 37 overs the visitors were in the driving seat and thoughts entered the mind of perhaps being over generous with the declaration the previous evening. It had been a record score for or against Devon at under 17 level so the reservations were quickly put aside. Fortunately the combination of off spinner James Carr and leg spinner Mickey Wilkinson not only put the breaks on but wickets at last looked likely. First the dangerous Rowe, on 62, was badly missed at cow off Wilkinson but the pressure was at last mounting. The captain made the break through when his bowling partner held Crane who had played the anchor role, scoring 25 off 107 balls. Gary Chappell then held the vital catch when Rowe now on 85 hit Carr at an awkward angle to backward point. Rowe had scored his runs off 145 balls hitting 12 fours and a six and you could understand why Gloucestershire took a subsequent interest. 143-2 became 143-3 as Carr struck again, trapping Bone in front. The captain was leading from the front but a further 28 runs were added before lunch. However 171-3 was certainly more acceptable after Cornwall’s start. Gibbo explained that the post lunch session was the one that had to be won as it nearly always determines how games develop and Devon won it. It transpired as the season went on that the members of this group were in fact poor pre lunch session players. They needed the extra half hour but they bowled out Cornwall for 309. In the third over after lunch Yau caught Edwards off Allin for a 60 ball 22. Matt Cooke now entered the attack and a record breaking bowling season. He also had Angove caught behind, Bowser replaced Allin and thanks to a brilliant catch from Porter at slip removed Kendall for 43. The ball was going away from the fielder but he hung on. At 216-6 Cornwall needed a further 168 with four wickets in hand off at least 45 overs. They took another 13 overs putting on 39 when a run out mix up (Wilkinson to Yau) helped Devon put the pressure back on. The eighth wicket fell at 292 when Porter had the visitor’s captain caught behind and then Cooke caught and bowled Libby. A missed run out allowed Cornwall to pick up a fourth batting point and Devon was now into overtime with tea being delayed to allow them to take the final wicket. Virtually bang on tea Wilkinson re-entered the attack and with his fifth ball picked up the wicket his earlier spell had deserved, as Raven was trapped in front for a 50 ball 36. Not the best fielding performance put on by this group with at least five chances being missed but in the heat they had kept at it on a superb batting strip. The attitude of the Cornish batsmen was exemplary, as at least two walked. 

After tea the first bonus point chase of the season was undertaken and it looked as if Devon would take their return from the game to 20. Bess was making up for lost time with a splendid knock, he lost Bowser at 40 and Cooke 17 runs later having scored 198 runs less than on the first day! Bess critically fell at 108 having ensured the first batting point and his dismissal gave Cornwall the first bowling point. This was the first of his excellent second innings knocks and he was dismissed disappointingly trying for the second time in 32 hours to cart Angrove into the rec.! Although Josh Bess had scored at virtually a run a ball for his 66, with him went Devon’s chance for another batting bonus point and the home side gave Cornwall another bowling point with the fall of the fifth wicket. Carr then called off the chase at 120-5 with 21 balls unused. Wrench and Porter having been sacrificed in the chase which had taken the points tally to 19. The opening hour in the company of the ECB’s Gordon Lord and Peter Ackerley seemed a distant memory. The new 12-a-side format worked well with under 16 captain Joe Smith proving an excellent 13th man, gaining experience and now pushing for a permanent place in the side. The game marked the county debut of Sidmouth’s opening bowler Scott Barlow who had been pressing for a number of seasons. He would be content with his ten overs for 16 but disappointed not to have taken a wicket. It was once more a joy to play at Exmouth who again looked after both sides superbly.

After a delayed start to allow the 16s to complete their game at Axminster, the long journey to Reading was made even longer by the navigator in the lead car missing a turning off the motorway! The Devon players, arriving very late at the hotel, introduced themselves to the Barclays Bank girls in perhaps not the style they would normally adopt when they undertake a shot played on the back foot to a short pitched delivery, played at full arms stretch! The hotel corridors were narrow and coffins not tremendously manoeuvrable and they, in turn, were treated to a lesson in basic Anglo Saxon! The Reading Cricket Ground had been visited successfully in 2003 by the 21s in their historic semi final victory over Essex – Alistair Cook, Bopara et al and it looked in good condition but surprisingly the outfield caused major problems for both sides as the game unfolded. The ground had happy memories for James Gibson, whom we had left at Axminster to attend his graduation ceremony at Bath University. Nick Watkin kindly filled the void and Gibbo joined us for the second day. James Carr sensibly disregarded the vice captain’s advice on the toss and won it. This side’s success has been built on a sound opening partnership but for the second game in succession Bess went early and we had to rebuild. Mickey Wilkinson, promoted after his fine performance against Cornwall, then proceeded to put on 104 with Daniel Bowser, fresh from an academy game, and took the side to lunch. Unexpectedly 26 minutes after the interval Wilkinson for no apparent reason appeared to get frustrated and was stumped for a 112 ball 45, totally unnecessary as they had been building a sound position for the side. The hero from Cornwall, Matt Cooke, then joined Bowser and it was a Lord Mayor’s Show situation as he was caught on the second ball he received. From 122-1 Devon was now 122-3 in not such a good position. Stephen Knight joined his room mate but it was not to be a long partnership as Bowser was trapped in front by left armer Beavon for an excellent 68. He had batted for 158 minutes facing 139 balls and hitting 11 fours. At 140-4 off 47 overs it was necessary to press on and Steve Knight and Jack Porter proceeded to equal the record fifth wicket partnership that Piper and Cooke had set in 2004 against Middlesex. They put on 134 off 190 balls and the side was back on track for the final batting point. Beavon bowled Porter for a well crafted season’s best 63 (114 minutes, 91 balls and 5 fours). Three runs past the final batting point Knight, experiencing no difficulty and apparently coasting to his maiden hundred, called the under 16 captain, Joe Smith, and was run out, although in a different environment the third umpire might have been called! He fell 16 runs short of the century he deserved, having faced 144 balls hitting 12 of his 135 balls for 4. The side was now fully back in control. The 16 and 17 captains took the score to 319 when Smith was well held at gully. The final pairing of Carr and Justin Yau took the side to 350 and then teed off to see if we could have a bowl at our hosts before close of play. Carr called it a day at 375 (the second highest score from a Devon under 17 side) giving his bowlers six overs. Hampshire academy player Howell, who had taken a hundred off the side in 2004 at Exmouth, gave a less experienced team mate the opportunity of introducing himself to Tom Allin and Scott Barlow and after the completion of the one hundred and second over of the day Berkshire was 6-0. The day finished with an enjoyable evening meal, although there was some resentment from other diners for the speed of service we received! Due to the computerised till mixing up the mixed grills with the fillet steaks we missed Big Brother but Porter’s story of the previous night’s introduction to other hotel guests and the loud mention of coffins brought some very strange looks!

The side caught up with the early Channel 4 edition to learn of the nominations and James Gibson, without cap, gown and green and gold hood, joined Nick Watkin, for the warm up. The new BA thought the side looked tired and it was hoped that he was imagining it. However the performance in the first session justified his diagnosis as Devon allowed the hosts to advance to 114-1 after 47 overs. The solitary wicket was the night watchman Myers, who was bowled by Chappell for a 76 ball 14. Berkshire’s number 3 was the grandson of former England opener, Alan Jones, and he looked to have inherited most of the genes! With Roberts anchoring, Berkshire had put themselves in a position where they could gain the first points of the innings. As left hander Jones on 42 offered a regulation chance to Chappell at mid off with Cooke the unlucky bowler, we overheard, four times within a minute, that the missed chance could prove to be very costly and started to fear the worst! Untidy fielding throughout this session also cost the side two basic run out chances and Watkin and Gibson indicated their disappointment over the baked potatoes. However, with Yau’s first audition for a juggler’s role at Billy Smart’s, Cooke ended the 111 partnership when he removed Roberts, who had batted nineteen minutes short of three hours for his 45. Berkshire’s key batters were now together at the crease, as Howell entered the affray to help add another 50 runs. Howell scored off 4 of his first 30 balls giving Jones his head, who then passed his hundred and proved the Berkshire contingent’s earlier assertions right. However the thought that, now past his hundred, he might not bat on proved right, as Bowser held him with great aplomb on the mid wicket boundary rope giving Porter his one wicket of the innings. This was a critical wicket and the game now swung back to Devon. Re-enter Matt Cooke to take two in three in the seventy-seventh over of the innings and the first of his third spell. Yau caught the home side’s captain Ferrar, who fortunately did not repeat the fireworks of last year when he struck a 22 ball 40 which included 5 sixes. Two balls later Raja was trapped in front and Berkshire was now 215-5. Devon had made up the lost ground when tea was taken without the disappointment of the luncheon adjournment. It proved even better as another three wickets fell in the fifth hour of the Berkshire innings, making  5 for 46 altogether in the hour. First, after a rest as twelfth man, Bess dived to his left to catch Howell to become Cooke’s fourth and final victim. Throughout the season the second string to Cooke’s bow proved just as vital as his batting. From 215-5 Berkshire was reduced to 269 all out with Tom Allin using his slower ball with great effect to bowl two, Yau’s audition continued with a catch off Chappell and Mickey Wilkinson gave Allin his third wicket and his best return of the summer. Yet another post lunch remarkable recovery. The home side thought they would be invited to bat again but Devon decided to use the 90 balls remaining to pick up a bonus point. Yet again they failed, an inability not unique to this side. Whilst Bowser and Bess put on 73 (50 off 50 balls) all seemed to be going to plan. Bess on the slog fell for an unselfish 43 and Bowser fell on the sword, when he was selflessly run out for 31. But with Cooke scoring 1 off 2 and Porter 0 off 3, Carr called his side in at 80-3 off 84 balls an over early. The problem on this occasion, as in the past, was that too many balls, in this case 45, were not scored off. It is a fundamental weakness of many young and not so young sides. They must develop the ability and, perhaps more importantly, the confidence to push and run which should be a vital ingredient in all county batters’ armoury. Twenty points in the bag 49 from two. The missed bonus point did not in the end prove vital but it could have been in different circumstances. This was another excellent team performance with the feeling again that there is still much more to come from the side to fulfil its true potential. The trip home was enjoyable with the same staff at the Little Shef (sic) and the renowned pancakes given another tasting. The Westlife CD proved the most popular with Joe Smith counselling poor Justin Yau on his difficult past month.

With the weather changing for the worse and causing the Devon league programme to be decimated on the previous Saturday and the 21s called off on the Sunday, a wet track was a prospect for the first time in the season for the game with Buckinghamshire at Sandford. The discussion around the Monday breakfast table revolved around the importance of winning the toss in this vital game. There was real concern, particularly following the captain’s guarantees at Reading and his boasting of an inability to lose a toss, as this was bound to be the occasion when he would! And so it proved with Buckinghamshire calling tails. Water had seeped under the covers and this was a toss that we really had needed to win. Bucks, fresh from their win over Gloucestershire, which had given them 18 points, shot out half the Devon side for just 32 by 11.46am, as their seamers, including an under 15, exploited the conditions with some skill. Both our openers went at two, Bowser bowled on the leave and Bess trapped in front. Wilkinson was dropping anchor but could only watch as Cooke was bowled, Knight caught behind and Porter, checking his drive in mid stream, caught at short extra. The ball was deviating in all directions off the seam and we had real problems, thoughts of Hampshire 2002 (67 all out) were to the fore. We were now down to Plan E, which was to get to at least 150 and hope the track would still misbehave when we bowled, which at this rate might have been before lunch! Fortunately Wilkinson and Joe Smith reverted to Plan D and batted to lunch. The new Torquay second team’s captain batting has become increasingly important in this team and Wilkinson was playing his most important and best innings for the County. Fresh from his maiden league hundred, he played immaculately in incredibly difficult circumstances, adjusting to the situation and increasingly looking at ease. His partner, under 16 captain Joe Smith, who had replaced the unlucky David Wrench, put into good effect all the knowledge his experience in opening for Heathcoat this summer has provided, and they took the side to lunch at 102-5 off 32 testing overs. The earlier game plans then came rapidly back into the reckoning but, as often happens, a break brought a wicket and Smith fell in the second over after lunch with just one run added. He waved at a wide one and was caught behind, his innings had helped turn the tide and he faced 72 balls in his 78 minutes at the crease, hitting 2 fours in his 18. The partnership of 71 had a major effect on both sides and the balance was starting to switch. It was decided that we should try and change the rhythm of the innings and captain Carr went in to try and break up the tempo. With Wilkinson they put on another important 31 runs with Carr scoring 12 runs off just 14 balls. At 134-7 off 40 overs and the wicket getting flatter, Plan C - anything over 200 will be useful - came back into effect. Another 31 were added by the keeper, Justin Yau, and his school spokesman, Wilkinson, who was now composed and past his 50 (133 minutes; 97 balls) and looking set for the next milestone. Yau, having now fully regained his all-rounder role in the side, was bowled off an outside edge off the spinner Massey and Devon was now 165-8. Two very talented batters yet to come and Wilkinson in total control of the situation. It did not quite work out that way, as the second under 16 opener, Chappell, lasted six balls to become the fourth batsman not to get off the mark – an unusual statistic for this side and a rare failure for the left hander. It was this time last year in the match against Middlesex that the Annual Report read Tom Allin is not a not a number 11 and did not bat like one. The Bideford top order batter then did the business again – he is invariably called to bat in a crisis and this was a big one. He was involved in the partnership that took the game away from Buckinghamshire as 42 very important runs were put on in 99 balls, with both Wilkinson and Allin contributing 20. It was, in fact, Allin’s twenty first attempted run that broke a partnership that Buckinghamshire were having problems separating. Allin pulled in the air to backward square leg with a fielder positioned down there and the heart was in the mouth but fortunately it was wide of the fielder and the first run completed comfortably. The second, however, undertaken after 220 minutes at the crease and facing 189 balls, found Wilkinson not as quick as he had been and he was surprised by a direct throw to the bowler’s end that actually pitched on the full on the bails and sent him on his way, run out for a truly outstanding 95. Total disappointment, well perhaps not on the behalf of the visitors but a sad way to end one of the more important under 17 innings of recent times. His batting has grown in stature and it seems a long time ago that he was a leggy who was an outstanding fielder but batted at 11. To his credit he never considered himself a number 11 nor indeed fortunately does Tom Allin. This partnership took the side to 210 and eventually enabled the side to win on first innings. The pair batted as high quality batsmen, taking the game back into the control of the home side, and the two short runs of the first session were long forgotten. Forty three overs left in the day how would our seamers bowl? Interestingly last season the sixteen’s did not have an opening partnership below 32 with a top one of 151 but this season in first innings it has been 9, 18 and 2. Equally importantly the oppositions openers were separated six times under 30 whilst this season they have put on 115, 31 and now it was to be 85. The situation would have to alter. At 27 minutes to six after 191 deliveries and 85 on the board even Plan G was being reconsidered. Both the Buckinghamshire batsmen had set out their stalls and obviously intended to bat out the day and disconcertingly Devon was not making any great impression on either. Devon’s bowlers were bowling economically but there did not seem any spite in the track which now appeared flat. Out of the blue Cooke, in his eleventh over and the thirty first of the innings, bowled Stevens and one run later Webster was run out after a total disagreement with his partner, as Carr's throw was taken by Yau. 86-2 became 86-3 as Chappell had Hudson caught on the drive by Bess. Even better was to follow as Bowser juggled at slip to give Chappell his second victim. Another six runs were added without mishap as close of play left Buckinghamshire 94-4 with 109 overs being bowled in the absorbing day in which Devon set very attacking fields. Were the day’s honours now even?

The opposition’s game plan, with six wickets left to score the 117 needed in the day, appeared to be to leave for Cornwall as first innings’ winner and table toppers. Bowles, the century maker from the Gloucester match, was now at the crease with other capable batting from that victory still to come. There was no overnight rain and the conditions were back in favour of the batsman. Devon opened with their spinners Cooke and Chappell with even more attacking fields than the previous night but managed to drop Massey at cover, which immediately brought ridicule of the home side’s hour long warm up from their opponents, and the fifth wicket pairing put on 23. However on the 111th ball of the partnership and the score on 111 Massey was bowled by Chappell, who was in his eighth over of the morning of which six had been maidens and there had been only two scoring strokes off this fine prospect. It was a similar story at the other end and the visitor’s game plan was becoming increasingly obvious and was indeed confirmed by the shouts of encouragement from the pavilion of “you have all day”. Ten more runs for the sixth wicket when the vital wicket was taken with Bowles being trapped on the back foot by the Cooke tracer bullet and the confidence of the management rising visibly. The tall Bowles had the proven ability to bat a long time and it was encouraging to see him return to the pavilion. It became 140-7 as the captain Norwood was caught behind off Cooke and for the first time the scorer discretely commented on the similarity of scores – Devon had been 135-7 but did Bucks bat as deep? Bucks lost their eighth wicket at 155 as their keeper Cater became Scott Barlow’s first county scalp and Devon was now ahead. Barlow had been economy personified but after 31 county overs now took his first wicket, as Chappell was rested after bowling 27 overs (18 in the day) for 26 runs having taking 3 key wickets with just nine scoring shots. Wilkinson filled in for an over but went for 8 and on came Barlow. His second ball of the morning trapped the keeper in front. Barlow’s figures are equally revealing in all he bowled 12 overs with 7 maidens and nine runs off seven balls. After lunch, which had been taken at 157-8, Porter bowled Cherry at 161 and Barlow took his second wicket, as he had the stubborn Siddiq caught by Joe Smith at 167 in the ninety-second over. Innings over – yet another remarkable turn about in this roller coaster of a season, which again demonstrated the unity of these twelve players and not a little ability. Each and everyone had made a contribution to the current position as division leaders. With at least 50 overs left in the day would the side’s bonus point chasing improve?

Despite the problems with first innings’ opening partnerships, it didn’t seem to be a problem in the second innings which had yielded 40 and 73 and now 46 before Bowser was leg before for 18. With a fair number of overs available Devon was looking to pick up at least three batting points. Wilkinson lasted 19 balls this time and another 33 runs were still needed for the first point when Gulliver sent Wilkinson on his travels by bowling him. Sidmouth in the form of Bess and Cooke navigated a Rowe tea and put on 71 in 161 balls. Bess fell first for a 143 ball 68 (10 fours and a six) – his second innings’ batting this summer was to be outstanding but……. Knight took his runs for the match up to ten and was caught at 169 – second batting point in the bag. Now was 250 possible? The side needed 81 off 60 balls. Key man Cooke was bowled at 186 for a 109 ball 60 (6 fours and 2 sixes) and fortunately his disappearance into the Sandford pavilion did not have the same result as last year, when, after his outstanding innings against Middlesex, he did not reappear on a cricket ground again that summer. Porter ran and jabbed and, with Smith, took the side to a third point. Smith experimented with the lap and eventually started to make contact. Carr’s mission was simple – smack it. His five ball 14 ensured the accelerator was now in full use, Smith watched and applauded from the non striker’s end in the 14 run partnership. Carr departed at 222 with 19 balls left to score 28. Smith reverse swept, Yau drove a six on the full second ball, Smith was run out by 11 yards backing up and Tom Allin dressed and padded up in record time. Last over 8 needed. Allin got off the mark, Yau drove his second six over the despairing hands of long on and took a single off the third and Devon declared - 20 most useful points from a side which was dead and buried at 32-5 on the first morning. In difficult weather conditions Sandford were their normal outstanding hosts with their wonderful hospitality. It was good to see Ross Acton at the ground, now fully fit after his nasty accident with a plate glass door that had previously ruled the left arm seamer out of contention.

It was sunshine at Seaton with the ground looking in excellent condition. Carr made it two in two and thoughts of bushels and lights came into mind. Bedfordshire batted and interestingly Devon had flirted with the idea of batting second but had discounted it. They would now have to bowl them out cheaply and quickly and put on the pressure on day two. Having decided that, it was important to take early wickets and we failed again as the visitors’ openers put on the third opening partnership of over 50 and disconcertingly their captain Hill was looking to bat a long time. The side’s three pronged seam attack was seen off but fortunately Matt Cooke struck in the twenty-third over when he trapped Naik in front for a 56 ball 14. Hill and Tahir advanced towards lunch and the visitors were laying a solid foundation but Chappell struck in the fortieth and forty-second – the last before lunch - as he had Hill very well held by Porter on a skier going away from him and then bowled Sohail to leave Bedfordshire not so comfortably placed at 98-3. Devon was bowling at an excellent rate with the intention, if it were necessary, of getting in at least 120 overs in the day. However the main intent was still to bowl their opponents out as cheaply as possible. They continued with a wicket in the forty-ninth over at 107, as Carr took his first wicket with a stumping from Justin Yau. The visitor’s objective was to bat the day so it was a case of just nibbling away. The spinners were bowling economically and the over rate for the second and third hours reached 22. It was a matter of patience and making things happen on another good track. In Chappell’s 18 overs there were only nine scoring shots and one was a six! The fifth wicket put on 42 taking the score past 150 but a wicket fell in the seventy-second over with the run rate at 2.11 an over. This was putting pressure on the later batsmen for the remaining potential 50 overs at the visitor’s disposal. Muzawazi was run out as Chappell and Cooke combined for fantasy points. Devon kept chipping away as Cooke took his second leg before at 164. Tea was taken at 179-6 with 83 overs delivered. Fortunately two wickets fell at 186 as keeper Kerr eventually fell. The left hander had looked a tidy and compact player and was occupying the crease but after 133 minutes and just past his 50, as had his captain earlier, he skied one off Cooke and this time an even better catch was held by Tom Allin on a full dive – stunning. Gibbo had earlier asked for an improvement in the fielding and was being rewarded with a pressure performance from the side. Next over Nicholls gave Carr the charge and was bowled and the openers could start thinking about batting. Five runs later Carr struck again for the third leg before of the innings. However 2005 was the year of the last wicket partnership - first Wilkinson and Allin, then Flintoff and Jones and now Patel and Churms (and an even more telling one yet to come in the final game). This gave the side a second batting point and delayed the appearance at the wicket of Bess and Bowser. After 35 frustrating minutes, during which 33 runs were added, at last a wicket fell to a bowler whose surname did not begin with the third letter of the alphabet, as a fourth leg before was given - yep - perhaps shades of Somerset 2003 at the same ground. Overall 34% of the overs were maidens and had the innings not come to an end the side would have bowled 120 in the day which would have been a top performance on a sapping day. In the pre-match discussions early wickets were sought, an improved fielding performance plus a decent start. So far one out of two could they make it two out of three? Devon was faced with a tricky 16 overs against two tall opening bowlers, who impressed the former Somerset chief, Peter Anderson. Bowser and Bess survived each facing 49 balls and leaving their side 30-0 at close of play - their best first innings start of the season.

On an equally pleasant day, with an early start to allow our opponents to get home for their fixture with Gloucestershire the next day, our openers continued their season’s best when at 46 and after four overs in the morning session Bowser was held by the diving Muzawazi scooping the ball at backward point. Mickey Wilkinson then set off to rectify his loss of a maiden county hundred in the previous game by initially putting on 117 with Josh Bess, as the pair responded to the previous day’s request for the top order to fire on all cylinders. The partnership took the side up to the forty fourth over, when the well set Josh Bess, well on the way to rectify his gaff on the same ground in 2004, when he fell four short of the hundred, again gave a soft catch to extra cover for 77. His fifty came off 113 minutes and he had batted in the two sessions for 157 minutes hitting 10 fours. Lunch came at 186-2 with Matt Cooke slowly finding his feet. He scored his first eight off 30 balls – the fireworks were to follow later. Wilkinson was accumulating and just reinforcing his value to the side. Representatives from ROK, who have supported Devon Youth cricket this summer, were treated to a superb post lunch session. The record third wicket partnership of 140, set at Exmouth in 1996 by Alex Bailey and David Lye in a memorable semi-final victory over Warwickshire, was surpassed as the pair went on to put on 169 off only 144 deliveries. They tore into the Bedfordshire attack that had to resort to ten different bowlers with both batters approaching their hundred. Wilkinson reached his first ton for the county in an understated way by hitting a six! He did not bat on but did not get too big a kick up the backside as he and Cooke had played their roles to perfection - their side had picked up maximum batting points and had left sufficient overs in the day for a number of declaration permutations to be undertaken. Wilkinson was bowled at 332 with Cooke on 85. Cooke used to have problems in the forties but not any more but unfortunately this time he did not advance to the three figures he richly deserved. It was not a case of nervous nineties as he was just smacking it all over the place when he fell for 93.This was the second occasion of the season – his first a double ton – when he had an opportunity of displaying his talents before Peter Anderson and he had not wasted the chance with a call up to Taunton on its way. Carr, not for the first time sacrificed himself for the side and the increased possibility of unwanted dot balls brought forward the declaration as Knight and Porter pushed and ran. The declaration came at 366 with 46 overs left in the day.

Bedfordshire in the shape of opener Naik wanted to make a point as he blasted off. His partner and captain, Hill, had not scored as the pair put on 25 at a run a ball when Barlow trapped the skipper in front. Naik carried on in the same vein, as 30 were added for the second wicket when in the tenth over Porter had Tahir leg before. A magnificent catch at deep mid wicket removed Naik from the affray, as Daniel Bowser made ground at genuine pace to position himself perfectly to take another catch with the aplomb that is now associated with his out fielding. At the highest level this catch would have received huge plaudits. With Naik’s dismissal the tone of the visitor’s innings changed drastically, as they felt that one bowling point was all the home side deserved. Sohail and Patel put on Bedfordshire’s highest partnership of the game, as feelers were being sent out to allow the visitors to get on the road. Our aim on day one had been 20 points and, to the annoyance of the scorer and vice captain, discussions continued. The point was achieved as Cooke took two wickets on the last ball of successive overs to the obvious irritation of the visitors, who now had a second batting point in the bag. To avoid further ill feeling, we are still not sure what initially created bad spirit, the day was called with seven overs remaining. The side had now taken 77 points and one final push at Bristol University, the scene of relegation in 2004, would achieve the now richly deserved promotion and the division's title. This was the only county cricket played in 2005 at Seaton, who received us with their customary hospitality. Hazel Arbuthnot’s subsequent sad and untimely death was to be a low point of the season, she had enriched many days of county cricket at Court Lane.

One game was now left against our old adversaries, Gloucestershire, and Devon was now in control of its own destiny as the only unbeaten side in the group. A major decision was to take thirteen players to Bristol, Ross Acton had been on duty as thirteenth man at Seaton and he was invited to travel. For the second year the Washington was to be our base but we had to change our hostelry to the Angel as we were unable to pre-book last year’s pub. This brightened up the evening - not only was the food acceptable but there was Tash! With text messages winging their way into most of the rooms at the Washington from that little angel Tash at the Angel The first day started early at 1.00am for some and overnight it got hotter. Ten hours later the chimes of doom from the pavilion clock rang for only one of the party, after the mobiles had been in constant use to get AS results. There was a concern as to how Justin would respond to his mother’s call, he vowed to actually work next time and re-sit them in November - oh no straight back home to revision! Carr’s and Porter’s thoughts that they would be put in by their hosts were confirmed but they would have batted anyway, as the over confident “I never lose a toss” Carr lost the third on the trot and Devon was inserted. The CDO passed on the Cornwall result from the day before and it was confirmed that this was to be the championship decider. After 75 minutes all seemed to be going to plan as Bess and Bowser got their act together and at 58-0 it was time to give the dogs their second walk of the day down at the Dingle away from the dog unfriendly Bristol University ground. The walk went well, all three behaved and thoughts of 450 and bowl them out twice took up most of the 45 minutes. Driving back into the ground it was obvious that number 6 was batting - they must have moved Joe up the order. No Bess, Bowser, Cooke, Knight and Porter all had t-shirts and shorts on what on earth had gone on? The scoreboard read 72-5 there would be no more dog walking today boys. Yet another pre-lunch session mess up. Bess had gone first at 62 caught behind by the young keeper Dent off Williams, three runs later spinner Patel took his only wicket as Bowser was also caught behind, seven runs on Cooke was trapped in front by Johnston and then Knight pushed with hard hands on his second ball and was caught, some had thought he was out on his first! Johnson then bowled Porter through one of the bigger Devon gates and it was 72-5. We had unfortunately been here before and it was the pair that steadied the ship at Sandford, Wilkinson and Smith, that again took their side up to lunch at 79-5 after 33 overs. This time Smith did not succumb after lunch and the pair took the side up to Nelson but Smith did not receive the support of his side as feet (except the scorer’s) remained firmly on the ground. Smith was duly caught behind off Chishimba for another important 10 off 50 balls, the partnership of 39 had been vital. Enter the captain James Carr, fresh from another knock in warm up - it must be very difficult not being liked by anyone in your side! He was beaten on the back foot first ball but then drove his third for four. With Wilkinson, another 25 critical runs were added when Wilkinson, who batted for over 700 minutes this season regularly getting his side out of messes, was out for 34. He is normally calmness personified but when he was leg before he did show a little disappointment, he had batted for 106 minutes.

Drinks were taken on this dismissal and, of course, first ball after the break Carr was bowled by Williams for a most useful 20, but two wickets in two balls. 136-8 was the worst situation the side had been in all season so indeed was 148-9 as the promoted Tom Allin was trapped plum in front. However Justin Yau was still smarting from his earlier call and was playing as well as anyone and Gary Chappell is the first under 16 opener to bat at 11 for the 17s. A heroic partnership started slowly with Yau getting all the applause for the fine shots played by Chappell, well, apart from Yau running quickly and Chappell slowly, there was not much difference between these left handers! The extra half hour was taken, dog walking delayed (they were told to cross their legs as no one could move) and the 50 partnership passed. Porter asked the odds for their breaking the 11 year old record by David Lye and Damian Calland who put on 99 to beat Hampshire at the Royal Grammar School Worcester at the epic Malvern Festival – no odds were given! Tea was taken at 218-9 after 78 overs. Dog walking completed and it was apparent on re-entering the ground that 14 and 17 were still at the wicket – what had been going on! They were now getting it right as they loudly applauded Chappell his maiden under 17 half century and sanctuary was sought with the scorer – to be greeted by “they need 10 for the hundred partnership”. The Lye / Calland partnership was equalled and the 100 came on the same ball and the score advanced to 265 when Chappell was the fourth LBW victim for a memorable 120 ball 65. His partner “no run” Yau had been equally brilliantly not out on 36, whinging about two leg byes that were his. The 117 partnership off 209 balls had given their side a chance. It transpired that the Somerset last wicket partnership the previous week had put on 185!! Williams had bowled well taking 4-35 off 11.2 overs and off spinner Johnston 3-24 off 16. Once again wickets were needed and in the eighth over Ross Acton, who had won a very narrow vote over the unlucky Barlow, was struck for two fours and the foot tapped for the first time all day but on the last bowl of the over Stovold was leg before, tapping stopped immediately. The day ended on 39-1 of which 14 had been extras and what was particularly annoying was that 10 had been no balls and 1 a wide, equivalent to nearly two extra overs bowled. Tash was again most welcoming and the manager was congratulated on his driving skills, his true role in the squad now known, while Gibbo and the scorer received well deserved tributes. The clock should have been loaned to Bowser and Knight who had missed breakfast!

Our hosts had recruited help from the County Ground and the square and surround had been well covered so that the overnight rain had not affected proceedings. The sun was now shining and the question was asked - would it shine on Devon? With night watchman Patel and Rawlinson giving the side some impetus, the first nervous walk of the season was undertaken, the ankle operation obviously having some benefits as it brought a wicket and the circumvention was completed. In the sixth over of the morning Acton made one bounce and the second opener, Rawlinson, was back in the hutch as Yau held the rising catch. Gloucestershire had scored a further 20 runs. The pre-lunch dog walk was taken in the hope of another five for and, on re-entering the ground, a batsmen was on his way back to the pavilion, Ricketts had been caught by the reliable Bowser and was Cooke’s first victim -130-3. The third wicket pairing of Patel and the flamboyant Ritchie Rickett’s had put on 68 off 131 balls with Ricketts trying to take the initiative.  The complaints from the Gloucestershire management about the number of fielders on the leg side showed that this was obviously a vital scalp. He had scored 45 off 70 balls, hitting 7 fours and one wicket was better than none. The argument with regard fielders was cleared up with a later call to Lords – the umpires and Devon had been correct! Lunch came at 142-3 and the management had a go. Once again, and fortunately this was their last opportunity of the season, the team had a poor pre-lunch session, although Gibbo felt the manager was harsh – HARSH!

Eight off Cooke's first over was not the best start but the screw started to be turned in another unbelievable session of play. Gloucestershire advanced the score to 162 when Devon took the important wicket of the home side’s skipper, Mills, who claimed he tried to work the ball for one and only achieved giving yet another difficult catch to the side’s leading outfielder, Daniel Bowser, who held it on the boundary in his normal relaxed manner – now the visitors were back in the game. Cooke was the bowler and took his third wicket at 171 when he bowled Hall. From now on it was all Devon, as Acton had Morrison leg before completing his welcome return to the county scene with three wickets and showed what his ill-fated accident had deprived the side. Cooke now began the end of Gloucester, who lost their last four wickets for 1 run, when Johnston was caught behind for two. At the same score the obdurate night watchman Patel was eighth out for a 161 ball 39, a tremendous performance for his side, Bess caught him on the drive in Carr’s only over. The third wicket to fall at 177 was Russell, leg before second ball and the final wicket fell at 178 when the outstanding keeper prospect, 14 year old Dent, surrounded by ten alert Devonians prodded at his second ball and was caught by very short extra, Joe Smith. The home side had lost their last seven wickets in 72 balls for 16 runs – quite amazing! You would not want to play this group at Monopoly as they have more get out of jail cards than any other or is it that they are perhaps a very, very talented group? Cooke’s final figures were 6-39, just one run off the record, indeed in between his last two wickets was a wide which cost him the record! It would have been remarkable had he broken both the batting and bowling records in one season. His presence the previous season had been sorely missed and his contribution not just with bat and ball in 2005 was profound.

The pressure was now off, promotion was confirmed and with it the championship, the side’s mission superbly accomplished. The philosophy was now let’s have some fun and get to 250. This lot tend to dream a bit and with around 43 overs available it was going to be a big ask against a reasonable attack. So it proved. Openers Bess and Bowser did their normal stuff putting on a season’s best 110 in 20 overs Bess went first two short of the fifty, with another exclamation from the score box, when he was caught after his forthright innings, his partner went next over for a fine 62 and Devon was now 115 -2, time to rebuild. With Porter’s record batting average from the previous season now in his sights, Wilkinson completed yet another 50 and Cooke whacked a 25. Cooke fell at 194 and Carr, in once again on the charge, took his side to a third batting point falling at 207 and unselfishly Wilkinson was out at 212 for a 60 ball 52 – it was noticeable that Porter had been encouraging the loudest from the boundary to hit out! The wheels then fell off as the ask was now impossible despite the confidence of the team as at 213 Porter ran out Knight to ensure that he suffered the pair and not Jack, and Carr called them in with three overs unused. It had been an incredible two days cricket and the 20 points took the side up to 97 for the season.

The assistant manager decided to avoid the Friday night M5 traffic, took us through the City Centre and some 30 minutes later the A38 was eventually found but disappointingly with no Little Chefs so Moto at Bridgwater was visited as the M5 rejoined. The bus entered the North Devon drop off point to the loudest ever rendition of It’s Over and pathetically the mini bus driver felt somewhat emotional. It is rare to work with a group of players who have no idea of defeat, all of the players are talented, none have egos, they were totally united, good mates and there is not a single Prima Donna. What a season, what a group, well led by James Carr and Jack Porter. Carr took vital wickets, made difficult decisions and whenever he batted put his side first. Jack will be disappointed with his own contribution but made up for his paucity of figures with a 100% approach to the team. Each and every member of the squad can look back on at least one vital contribution, realistically they all made many. The spinners bore the brunt of the bowling and Chappell and Cooke were outstanding, well supported by Carr and Wilkinson. Bowser probably did not bowl as much as he would have liked but his boundary catching was amazing. He probably would have liked to have scored more runs and indeed, until the last partnership of the season, the opening pair underachieved. Both Bowser and Bess can look back with great satisfaction on a marvellous partnership. Bess always plays with a smile so you can never be too hard on him even if you think there is more in the tank. Cooke and Wilkinson were outstanding, recovering apparently impossible situations. Mickey deservedly was nominated batsman of the year and Cooke justifiably picked up bowler (record average, second best haul for the season) and player of the year. Knight and Porter have provided much over the years. Porter’s bowling still remains important and he had a couple of outstanding catches, Knight will be disappointed that he did not bowl more and we were disappointed he did not get his hundred at Reading. Both contributed to the Berkshire win. Joe Smith did not just gain experience for 2006 but made important contributions with his dogged batting and catching, perhaps we saw the real Joe in the second innings against Buckinghamshire, he was always the most difficult player to bring off! The seamers did not have the most productive year, Tom Allin has made huge strides over recent years as an opening bowler of real potential and was not out of place in the 21s. His spell at Reading was outstanding. He will concur that he is not a number 11 but his attitude throughout was first class. So was new boy’s Scott Barlow who accepted his non batting role with good grace. We would have liked more wickets from the Sidmouth seamer but he has an ability to build pressure which, in turn, takes them at the other end. Justin Yau had a difficult time away from the campaign but was the heart and soul of the team, keeping them going in difficult times, taking the catches and his batting was a huge plus as the statistics relay. Ross Action showed in his one game how much his style of bowling was missed – so much for young love. Although in the side primarily for his exceptional bowling, Gary Chappell held a vital catch and his batting, when required, was invariably in a crisis. It is a shame that he will not be able to put into full use in 2006 the invaluable experience he has gained in his two summers with the 17s but at least he knows that he has already made major contributions at this level.

So ends one of those seasons when it was obviously unfortunate that the side was not given an opportunity to truly test themselves, as undoubtedly this was one of the strongest all round units ever produced by the county. However they proved that they are a very strong unit who did indeed play for each other. No complaints to the travel manager and scorer, perhaps, apart from the missing Little Chefs on the A38, she only had one real upset – again at the university. James Gibson completed his three year secondment, virtually running the show and the end product is a direct tribute to all the hard work and endeavour he puts in. Nick Watkin filled in ably at Reading. The umpires were again outstanding and Yep has entered folk law already. The brilliant, co-operative host clubs Exmouth, Sandford and Seaton make it a joy and real pleasure to be part of the Devon structure. To everyone – THANK YOU.