It is a pleasure for me to work with the U17’s and 19’s and to also witness how well they’re establishing themselves in the 3rd, 2nd and now 1st teams.

The U19’s season was over as soon as it started. We came up against a very strong Heathcote side anchored by a seasoned 1st team Premier division
players whilst we fielded a largely U17’s team. Heathcote came out on top and deservedly so far, but good experience for NDCC.

The U17’s were drawn in a local mini league against Braunton which meant we had to overcome them in the best of three matches, which we did by winning the first 2 games. As a result of winning against Braunton we were through to the Devon Finals Day which was held in the middle of September in Exmouth. Having played with most of our team regularly in second team cricket during the season I knew we had a strong team and were in with a good chance.

We expected to face our biggest challenge in Plymouth in our first game, but unfortunately their strongest players were missing and they only had 9. It was a fairly comprehensive performance by us nonetheless and victory was tied up very early in the game.

On to Exmouth in the final and we bowled first. We were on it from the first ball and bowled them out for 61, wickets shared between Freddie (4) and Noah, Dylan and Jools (2 each). Our batting was similarly dominant, victory wrapped up without losing a wicket by Nav and Ed in the 7th over.

Many of the players in this years U17 were part of the first team I coached, so it was a real moment for me at Exmouth when they deservedly won.

Simon Wright

Under 17s/19’s Awards
Batter - Freddie Tucker
Bowler - Noah Tovell
Fielder - Ed Wilson
Players' Player - Ed Wilson
Manager's Player - Dylan Evans
Spirit of Cricket - Navindu Vanderbona