Devon Under 17s
1995 Season 's Report
Played 7 Won 4 Lost 3
Friendly Fixtures
v CORNWALL at Truro C.C. – Devon lost by 155 runs
CORNWALL 249 for 9 (P.Glazier 4-81)
DEVON 94 all out
v DORSET at Axminster C.C. ‑ Devon lost by 14 runs
DORSET 173 all out (C.Knapman 3-10, P.Warren 4-40)
DEVON 159 all out (R.Knapman 33)
The Under 17 County Cricket Festival
v SOMERSET at Malvern Ramblers C.C. ‑ Devon lost by 6 wickets.
DEVON 110 all out (R.Goldring 32)
SOMERSET 115 for 4
v DORSET at Barnards Green C.C. - Devon won by 3 wickets
DORSET 214 all out (C.Hurrell 5-42, D.Calland 3-54)
DEVON 215 for 7 (D.Lye 49, J.Williams 58 not out)
v WORCESTERSHIRE at Royal Grammar School, - Worcester Devon won by 7 wickets
WORCESTERSHIRE 162 all out (P.Warren 3-36, D.Calland 3-41)
DEVON 164 for 3 (J.Lewis 40 not out, R.Goldring 34, D.Lye 43)
Semi‑Final
v HAMPSHIRE at Royal Grammar School, Worcester ‑ Devon won by 1 wicket.
HAMPSHIRE 218 for 5
DEVON 219 for 9 (D.Lye 97 not out, D.Calland 37 not out)
The Final
v WILTSHIRE at Malvern College ‑ Devon won by 219 runs
DEVON 323 for 7 (J.Lewis 33, C.Read 33, J.Fulton 78, R.Goldring 70,
D.Lye 65)
WILTSHIRE 104 all out (P.Warren 4-32, M.Theedom 5-33, C.Read 6 catches)
The 1995 Squad M.Theedom (Captain), T.Alldis, A.Bertram, E.Brown, D.Calland, N.Cane, W.Cruft, S.Friend, J.Fulton, D.Gibson, P.Glazier, R.Goldring, M.Hewer, C.Hurrell, C.Knapman, R.Knapman, J.Lewis, D.Lye, C.Read, N.Reed, T.Ross, I.Taylor, P.Warren, M.Webb, J.Williams.
The 1995 season was approached with eager anticipation to see how Devon's most successful Under 16 side would develop. The early signs, however, were not encouraging. Devon visited Cornwall to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Cornwall Schools' Cricket Association with seven players from the previous year's squad unavailable. Although Chris Read lead a team with limited county experience into the field , the match provided the players with an excellent opportunity of pressing a claim for regular inclusion in the side. Read captained the side well but was unfortunate to lose both his opening bowlers, Bertram and Warren, who broke down when bowling and also one of his top order batsman, Billy Cruft, who broke a thumb whilst fielding and was unable to bat. Paul Glazier bowled 20 overs and showed the great improvement that has taken place in his game, however the injury jinx was also to affect him later in the season. Under 15 opening batsman and off spinner Tim Alldis bowled a tidy spell. In the circumstances the side did very well to keep Cornwall below 250 off their 60 overs but the batting was disappointing as no-one got established and the side was well beaten.
Problems continued to dog us at Axminster when a car breakdown on the morning of the game meant two players had to be found at short notice. Dorset were in real trouble at 7 for 3 but Chris Knapman, who had taken all the three wickets, then suffered heat exhaustion and could not bowl again. Dorset recovered to 173 all out off 50 overs with Paul Warren bowling an excellent spell and, in the absence of Chris Read on tour with the England Under 17 side, Jeremy Williams kept wicket to a high standard. Devon lost two early wickets but skipper Matthew Theedom and Under 16 captain David Gibson batted sensibly and, although Jeremy Williams continued the rebuilding, wickets continued to fall. England Under 14 player Russell Knapman, who had only been at the ground to watch his brother, then played an outstanding innings, scoring 33 off 28 balls and hitting 2 sixes and one car! Devon's batting had been solid if not spectacular and Knapman's refreshing approach transformed the whole game. From batting for respectability, there was suddenly an opportunity of winning the game and the side ended only 14 runs short, with the elder Knapman recovering well enough to also bat well.
Devon travelled to the Malvern Festival determined to retain the trophy won by the previous year's team and, with the exception of keeper Chris Read, who was required by the County, the squad was at full strength. The festival started disastrously with a most inept performance against Somerset, when, for the first and hopefully last time, the side batted 'arrogantly'. James Fulton was an exception and demonstrated what was needed but Devon were dismissed before lunch for 114 in 31 overs. Somerset bowled well and took some outstanding catches but virtually all the batsman caused their own demise by carelessness or lack of thought. Devon tried hard to recover the situation in the field, bowling and fielding well, and it was apparent that the side was disappointed with its performance and knew that a return to 'basics' was necessary.
If the festival was not going to be a total anti climax, it was vital that the side returned to winning ways against Dorset and, although with some difficulty, the required victory was achieved. Dorset scored a respectable 214 with spinners Chris Hurrell and Damon Calland bowling well and keeper Williams taking an excellent catch and two stumpings. Requiring 3½ an over Devon were soon 33 for 3 but Richard Goldring and David Lye put on 78 for the 4th wicket. Lye was in top form hitting the ball with tremendous power and scoring at a run a ball. In hindsight this innings probably ignited the side for the remainder of the week. Even so, both Lye and Goldring fell in quick succession when 88 runs were still required and Jeremy Williams then produced a superb innings, batting for 91 minutes and holding the lower middle order together. His coolness under pressure is one of his many attributes and he and his fellow Under 16 player, Lye, were proving to be the foundation of the batting. Devon reached their target in the 55th over and were now back in contention.
The Wednesday game was against the host county, Worcestershire, and it was our first visit to the Royal Grammar School, a large ground which looked difficult to defend. However, this did not prove to be a problem as Worcester were bowled out for 162 in 59 overs. The side put into practice all their knowledge of limited overs cricket and in the words of the Worcestershire Cricket Development Officer 'put on a most professional performance'. Pressure was exerted throughout the innings with tight bowling, good field settings and outstanding fielding and keeping. In his nine overs before lunch Calland only conceded 7 runs and in the twelve overs before the interval, with Chris Hurrell bowling from the other end only 14 runs were scored. A magnificent spell of pressure spin bowling. After lunch Worcester needed to pick up the tempo but lost wickets in trying to do so, leaving Devon to score at 2.71 runs per over. James Lewis then dropped anchor and scored an impeccable undefeated 40. He batted for 155 minutes facing 190 balls and showed superb technique. Richard Goldring played an innings of character, against his natural instincts, and, until he was ruffled by a Birmingham League seamer, was in complete control hitting an England leg spinner for a huge six against the spin. David Lye then joined Lewis to carry on where he had left off the previous day to play another brilliant cameo innings having no difficulty finding the boundary. It was left to Lewis and skipper Matthew Theedom to steer the side into the semi-final to play against the high scoring Hampshire. A splendid team performance which more than made up for Monday's indiscretions. Unfortunately Jeremy Williams was uncertain of his fitness and there was therefore an urgent need for an additional batsman. Chris Read was contacted and he very kindly agreed to join us the following day.
For the third year running, Devon were playing Hampshire in the semi-final. The first class county were scoring a mountain of runs but Devon were out for revenge, having been beaten by Hampshire at Under 16 level in the National Quarter Finals of the Texaco Trophy the previous season. Much had been learnt from the 1994 defeat and the side were very determined but it is unlikely that anyone could have foreseen what was to unfold. Devon fielded first at the Royal Grammar School and seemed to have made things a great deal easier by removing the free scoring Hampshire openers, but a third wicket partnership of 113 then appeared to be taking the game away from Devon. Theedom continued to put his trust in his two off spinners, who did not let him down, only 28 runs being conceded by the spinners in the 18 overs before lunch. The large ground proved more difficult to defend after lunch but every fielder gave his all. This was the fourth day of a tiring week in exceptionally hot, sunny conditions and one could have nothing but admiration for the attitude and inner strength of the players who were throwing themselves around and chasing everything including many lost causes. Devon bowled an excellent 20 overs an hour and Hampshire were left undecided if their score of 218 was sufficient. It looked as if they had scored more than enough as Devon collapsed to 64 for 7, when that underrated left hander Chris Knapman, who was also regaining his bowling form after a nasty back injury, joined David Lye and the pair put on a vital partnership of 47 to ease our embarrassment. Having successfully navigated the tea interval, Knapman then lost concentration and was caught. Paul Warren then supported Lye as another 19 runs were scored, leaving Devon 120 for 9 at the end of the fortieth over, needing 99 runs off 20 overs with one wicket left - apparently dead and buried. Last man Damon Calland left the pavilion with a message that we need not worry as the game was there to be won. The amazing thing is that this determined character really believed what he was saying and on joining David Lye told him to take it easy and all would be well. What followed must be one of the most remarkable pieces of cricket that anyone has ever had the pleasure to watch. Perhaps pleasure is not the correct word, for it was nerve racking. Initially every run was a bonus and the side watched the score grow in tens while waiting for that one ball which would finish this gutsy performance, but David Lye was batting with the skill, style and common sense of the top class batsman he is and Damon Calland was proving to be a very solid foil. If only there were a couple of wickets in hand, Devon really could win this game. The score somehow passed 200, only 19 runs needed off 30 balls. The body language of the Hampshire side was a very good clue to what was occurring out in the middle. The previous exhilarated side were now quiet and they were making mistakes. Boot leather was now being worn out by those in the pavilion but the two batsman seemed at total ease with the world and in control of the situation. Calland was now taking the strike, singles were being taken with no concern as to who was bowling or facing. This quite amazing last wicket partnership of 99 in 74 minutes off only 105 balls took Devon into the final totally against the odds. The triumphant duo returned to a magnificent and deserved ovation and everyone who had been fortunate enough to watch could not quite believe their eyes. The single mindedness of Calland was remarkable and without his support Lye could not have unleashed an array of strokes that most players would not have been brave enough to play in such circumstances. Never has the correct cricket temperament been better demonstrated than by these two. Cricket is played in the head and Devon were fortunate that they had two wise heads on young shoulders.
The final against Wiltshire, at the attractive Malvern College Ground, was bound to be an anti climax but it was essential that the side put into practice all they had learnt about limited overs cricket. This they did and their performance was perfect. Deciding to bat first, Devon scored the highest total of the week in amassing 323 for 7. Openers James Lewis and Chris Read both scored 33 and Vice-Captain James Fulton played the cultured innings he had been threatening all week. He looked set for a deserved century but was caught trying to accelerate after hitting nine fours and a six. At the other end Goldring was playing his natural game and despatching the ball to all parts of the ground. His 70 was scored at less than a run a ball with six fours and two sixes. David Lye played another fierce knock hitting his 65 in 38 minutes off 44 balls (eight fours and a six) and it was left to the lower middle order to score as many as possible. Devon then decided to try and bowl Wiltshire out for the lowest score of the Festival, such was their confidence, and failed by 33 runs, setting very attacking fields. Keeper Chris Read took six catches for the first time in his career, skipper Theedom bowled a fiery spell and took 5 wickets and 'Mr Reliable', Paul Warren, finished with 4 wickets. The Cup was retained by Devon with a team performance of the highest calibre and, after the disappointing start to the season, confirmed that this is a very special squad of players. The importance of unity is always stressed in team preparation and is a vital ingredient in this squad. This is typified by the attitude of Under 16 opening bowler Mathew Webb and left arm spinner Ian Taylor who, due to circumstances spent more time watching and acting as twelfth men than playing but both gave tremendous support and were vital members of the side. The Scorer's 'Tour Tankards' were awarded to Messrs Theedom, Fulton, Taylor and Webb. Damon Calland was awarded a special tankard for his contribution in the semi-final and the D.H.Watkins Trophy for the Young Cricketer of the Year was awarded to David Lye.
Matthew Theedom has excellent leadership qualities, he is an inspirational leader, one magnificent catch and worn out flannels come immediately to mind, he makes the right decisions often under pressure and has proved to be a very good and successful captain. With vice-captain James Fulton, an exceptionally old head on young shoulders and a very mature young man, available to offer advice and wisdom, the leadership of the team was remarkable and complementary. The input of Chris Read, who lead the side in difficult circumstances at Cornwall, must also not be forgotten and has been a major influence over the past two seasons. All the players played to the best of their ability, learnt from and inwardly digested mistakes and strove to improve at all times. They are also very confident (unusual for a Devon side) and only once in the last two years' did this backfire - this year against Somerset. A number of the squad have already made excellent impressions, played with first class counties and are likely to progress further in the game but this side had no weaknesses and every single member of the squad played a most important part in the side's success and they are a very fine advertisement for the County. It is obvious from the improved preparation of other counties that a great deal of time and finance is now being expended on Under 17 cricket and it is to be hoped that the development of the new 'English Cricket Board' will enable Minor Counties, such as Devon, to be able to continue to compete. Now that Under 17 County Cricket has been decreed as the pinnacle of our DOMESTIC age group cricket, it is vital that Devon compete on an 'even playing field'.
This final paragraph becomes more difficult to write each year. Being totally unimaginative, I find expressing genuine and sincere thanks in a different way impossible so I will not try. Vital financial assistance was forthcoming from the Devon C.C.C. and the Devon Cricket Association, without whose help the individual costs would have been substantially higher, Axminster C.C. again hosted the all day match against Dorset splendidly, National Coach Gordon Lord ran two excellent winter 'Workshops' and gave valuable support at Malvern. Devon umpires were excellent, as always, and annual thanks to Festival umpire Percy Govier. He was allowed a day off this year and Barry Warren very kindly and ably filled the void. The parents, as always, gave enormous encouragement and support and I will miss their involvement. The final thank you is to 'the scorer'. It is hoped that all the above are aware how much I and the County of Devon appreciate their help in making the season possible.