50s 2nd XI

Devon’s Pugh Does Demolition Job on Dorset

Devon’s Pugh Does Demolition Job on DorsetDevon Over 50s B got off to a blistering start to their 2017 Southern Counties Seniors Championships campaign with a massive 144 run defeat of neighbours Dorset at Kilmington yesterday, with Mike Pugh hammering 113 off only 57 balls to take Devon to an imposing total of 351-4 off their 45 overs.

Pugh came to the crease after openers Ian Hayter (83, with ten 4s and four 6s) and Jeff Heath (64, twelve 4s) had put on 165 for the first wicket in just 26 overs, and systematically destroyed all of Dorset’s hapless bowlers. Pugh’s century (six 6s and eleven 4s) and his whirlwind 141 run partnership in 14 overs with Brian Cann (45) saw Devon post 351-4.

An early breakthrough by Chris Battin after tea immediately put Dorset on the back foot, but at 102-2 off 17 overs the visitors were handily placed to launch a Pugh-like attack themselves. But a smart catch by Steve Preston off the bowling of Graham Munday, and an even smarter one by Richard Pyle off Tim Cooke, instigated a steady procession of wickets as Dorset continued to try to keep up with the asking rate.

Munday’s figures of 3-47 off 9 overs were easily the best in the match, and Cann chipped in with 2-10 as Dorset were all out for 207 in 35 overs. With four catches for keeper Hayter and two run outs, the fielding performance was solid, and the defeat of Dorset complete.

Devon 351-4 (Pugh 113, Hayter 83, Heath 64, Cann 44, Extras 39)
Dorset 207ao (Downing 47), (Munday 3-47)
Devon (20pts) beat Dorset (6 pts) by 144 runs.

Devon Over 50s 2nd XI Report 2015

The season was relatively successful, despite non-qualification for the semi-finals, winning four games, losing three with one ‘no result’. Unfortunately counties in the West group suffer from Wales’ policy of playing their better players in the 2nd XI, hence their 1st XI finishing bottom in their group.

Two of our first four games were against Wales, including an arduous trip to Carmarthen (the second year running they have taken us 100 miles from the Welsh border) and at that stage of the season we were Won 1, Lost 3. The last three games played were all won, the highlight of which was a great performance in Gloucestershire, which at least gave us an outside chance of making the semi-finals, but only if Somerset could do us a favour by beating Gloucestershire in one of their two games against them. We did re-arrange our twice postponed game in Wiltshire, but when Somerset lost one and conceded the other game against Gloucestershire, we mutually agreed to share the points with Wiltshire.

From an individual point of view, Brian Cann was the stand out batsman with 346 runs from 7 innings at an average of 57.67, including four 50s and a top score of 84. Brian should prove to be a good addition to the 1st XI next year when he reaches fifty, as he is also extremely mobile in the field. Jeff Heath also scored valuable runs (160 at an average of 32.00) and the other two batters to score over 100 runs were Richard Pyle (145 in 3 innings before he was no longer unable to play after reaching three 1st XI games) and Phil Bees (107 runs).

Charlie Woolnough was top wicket taker with 11 at an average of 17.00, including 6 for 30 in Gloucestershire’s collapse at Kings Stanley and Tim Cooke had 9 wickets at an average of 20.67. A mention also for Shaun Taylor, who bowled most overs (53.5) and was the most economical bowler.

21 players in all were used during the season, my thanks go to them, and the relationship between the captains was certainly better than in previous years. My thanks also go to Bill Pinhey and Chris Shelton for umpiring and to Gavin Lane, Pete ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne and Jackie Lancaster for scoring.

The season was somewhat soured by the Gloucestershire umpire’s antics at Kings Langley, when after originally accepting apologies, eventually reported Brian Cann and Phil Bees, leading to suspended match bans.

As a result of these bans, I am unsure at the time of writing whether I want to continue as captain of the Over 50s 2nd XI, as I was extremely disappointed by the outcome of the disciplinary meetings.

Phil Bees

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