It was with the confidence of a hitherto unbeaten season that Plymouth College travelled up to Westward Ho! to play Exeter School in the final of the U12 Devon Cup. Despite having beaten Exeter with relative ease in an earlier T20 tournament, everyone felt that they would be much tougher opponents in the final and so it proved.
With the accompaniment of a cloying sea mist, Plymouth were put into bat; James Degg scoring a solid 26, Alex Smith a confident and at times combative 38 and William Ingram a vital 16 not out coming in at number 10. Plymouth College battled to a total of 126 in their 30 overs.
Conditions eased for Exeter's innings in the afternoon and at 82 for 3 the game was theirs for the taking but they had not accounted for the fielding prowess of Plymouth College, instinctive catching, brilliant run outs and late scoreboard pressure told for Exeter's challenge. Will Warnock finished with the creditable figures of 3 for 22 in five overs, Oliver Robinson bowled beautifully taking 1 for 20 in six overs but Alex Smith showed the way, once again, with figures of 2 for 20 in his miserly spell.
Exeter School were finally bowled out for 115 and Alex Smith was rightly named man of the match.
"This is a fantastic end to a great season for the U12s," said Plymouth College Head of Cricket, Jon Mears. "It was a tense final settled by brilliant fielding and great individual performances. I am really proud of the whole team."
