County Under 17: Last season
Wilts U17 V Buckinghamshire U17 - Dauntsey's School - August 8th/9th
Day 1
A new venue for us in Dauntseys School, but we were greeted by a fine looking wicket and perfect weather. For once we won the toss and batted!
Steve Bullen and Tom Pearce opened the batting and after a cautious few overs never really stepped up the pace, and this was the story of our first innings…….
The Bucks bowling was flattered somewhat by our batsmen who failed to dominate, although batting conditions were perfect. Tom Pearce eventually went for 47, our top scorer and others resumed the same sluggish pace with the bat, so that after 97.5 overs we had only amassed a mere 219 runs all out. There were some steady performances ie Rob Pittman 46, Uzi Qureshi 30, but no-one took the bowling apart, a fact we were to regret later.
At close of play on day 1 the situation did look promising as Bucks slumped to 38 -3 thanks to some accurate fierce bowling from Tom Davies and Courtney Earl in the final overs, and gave us some hope for day 2.
Day 2
Another superb day and Bucks gradually piled on the runs, comfortably overtaking our first innings total after lunch, and going on to 302 – 9 (4 batting points) before declaring and a first innings win (10 points).
To regain some pride Wilts second innings was a completely different uninhibited display of aggressive batting with a licence to thrill!
In double quick time and scoring 10 an over at times, Wilts chased batting points, whilst Bucks chased bowling points!
A revised batting order saw Steve Bullen (17) and Rob Pittman (36) get off to a flying start, and with wickets falling Uzi Qureshi was not out on 51 and looking good at the end of the 102 over day, Wilts finishing on 176 for 7 after 30 overs and ruefully accepting that a more determined effort with the bat in the first innings could have won them victory perhaps.
Anyway, a very enjoyable two days in perfect weather at a fine venue – Wilts 8 points and Bucks 21.
We now move on to Essex for our final 2 day game at Billaricay CC, with some trepidation of our first major county meeting. Our bowling and fielding has been good this season, but our batting just not strong or determined enough. Let us hope that we again win the toss and bat, and this time apply ourselves in a controlled but aggressive way, looking to score 3/4 an over and apply some pressure on our opposition.
Wilts U17 V Oxfordshire U17 - Warminster CC - August 1st/2nd 2007
Day 1
Oxfordshire won the toss, and under clear skies not surprisingly decided to bat.
After an early breakthrough by Courtney Earl when the total stood at 9 runs, and again with good bowling Tom Davies found success at 25 runs, Oxfordshire steadily moved the score along through the day reaching the magic 350 for max (5) batting points just before the close on day 1. The total at the end of the day stood at 352 – 8, so we gained 3 points for bowling.
Day 2
Rain in the morning delayed the start and lunch was taken early. At approx 2.45pm play resumed with clearing skies and Oxfordshire declared their innings.
Wilts then set about chasing the target 353 however with time running out it was never really on. Good batting performance from Tom Young (48), Adam Miles (30) kept the score moving but considering a draw was likely an exciting last hour when Oxfordshire scented victory as wickets tumbled and a first innings win looked likely. Courtney Earl (35) had the crowd on their feet with some lusty blows to reach 200 and 2 batting points, however after his departure defeat looked very possible, however with 9 wickets down Wilts held on thanks to Toby Dorgan and Simon Beetham to frustrate Oxfordshire to a draw, so 8 points to Wilts and 11 to Oxfordshire was the final conclusion to a rain affected match.
Wilts U17 v Devon U17 - Exmouth CC - July 11/12th 2007
Surprisingly this summer, the 2 day game at Exmouth was unaffected by rain, however the Wiltshire players may well have welcomed it as things turned out!
By any standards, Wiltshire met a very strong and capable Devon U17 this year, after beating them last year at Warminster CC.
Winning the toss, not surprisingly Devon chose to bat on a flat and dry Exmouth wicket and settled in for a long day………..
The Wiltshire bowlers however stuck to their task and all credit to them for maintaining a disciplined line and length for many hours with some early 'suspicious' decisions not going the way of the Wiltshire side.
Unlike the previous year where the Wiltshire bowlers were “spraying it about like a fire hose”, the seam attack stayed focussed and without exception Courtney Earl, Tom Davies and new recruit Simon Beetham kept the two excellent Devon openers under control. Scoring was slow but professional as gradually Devon eased into the batting points. Wickets fell at intervals throughout the day with Toby Dorgan bowling a tight line, again giving nothing away. In the final session of the day Devon reached their goal of 350 and 5 batting points, followed by a declaration slog, mainly at the expense of Rob Pittman (who seemed the only volunteer to bowl!), finally declaring at 369 for 7, so Wiltshire had 3 bowling points. Altogether an excellent batting, and for most of the day, excellent bowling desplay - so well done to both sides.
At the end of day one Wiltshire had lost 2 wickets but were hopeful that at least they could compete and gain some batting points.
The overnight rain did not help the plan, and they found ourselves batting under leaden skies, it was not long before wickets fell to some accurate bowling and unfortunately and with some little embarrassment, the side were all out for 74!
Devon then made a rather surprising move, presumably by assuming that they had time to gain more batting points and still have time to bowl Wiltshire out again – they opted for their second innings – rather than ask Wiltshire to follow-on!
This time their progress was somewhat slower than they anticipated, as again excellent bowling and fielding stifled their progress and after reaching 153 and 2 batting points they declared with 5 wickets down and sent Wiltshire in.
This time Wiltshire fought with more commitment and as the day finally ran out they were 135 for 6 after 50 overs and at least had saved the ignominy of an outright loss.
Not a great start to the 2007 ECB season, but things could have been worse. The Wiltshire side left Exmouth with 6 points against Devon’s 23, however they would be unlucky to meet another Minor County team as strong in depth as Devon.
NB After cancelling the 2 day friendly match with Somerset due to poor weather, the 17's were invited to Bath CC to play their U16 team last week. With only two players at U17 in the squad Wiltshire considered this a fair challenge, and when the rains came Wiltshire were only 20 runs from victory having lost only 2 wickets. Again the bowling and fielding was superb, limiting Somerset to only 108 runs all out, so the 17's have some confidence as they progress to the ECB U17 competition.
