The 2004 Devon Development squad have completed a magnificent and their most successful tour of South Africa which went from strength to strength with wins against Langa, Western Province Under 15bs, Northern and Southern Suburbs plus two victories in the Kruger National Park suffering defeats only at the hands of Western Province Under 14s and Boland. The star accomplishments included a fine all round feat from West of England's Gary Chappell whose 91 against the Northern Suburbs was the highest ever individual score by a Devon tourist. He then went on to take 4-17 with his left arm seam to complete an excellent individual performance. Charles Martin batted through for 60 not out and Ian Crombie (80) have also recorded scores in excess of fifty. Jamie Wyman was another bowler who took four wickets in a match. Devon totalled 123 against Langa and then bowled their opponents out for 51. They lost by 8 wickets, despite Mount Wise's Charles Martin scoring 30 in the sides final total of 88, against a good Western Province Under 14 unit. The tourists made a gallant attempt to chase Boland's 306-2 but ended forty odd short in their 45 overs game at Stellenbosch University.
It has not been all good news from the squad with their unlucky captain Will Murray suffering another dislocated shoulder - his third nasty injury in a year. The 30 degrees heat has not helped with players and officials being struck down with either heat exhaustion or sickness. The final straw was when a thief removed 100 rand from the wallet of coach Aaron Williams from the visitors dressing room.
The early finish against Northern Suburbs allowed the squad to tick off their sight seeing list an evocative dusk trip up Table Mountain. The party have also enjoyed other away days including a visit to Robben Island, the home of Nelson Mandela for nearly two decades. The squad  then moved up North to take a close look at the South African game and win comfortably their two games in the National  Park. They enjoyed memorable BBQ's on the beach and with the game in the Park.
The Devon Cricket Board express their huge gratitude to their magnificent hosts on what has been an unforgettable experience for all involved.

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