WILTSHIRE BOY’S JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT 2007/8
Exmouth Beach
Tournament didn’t take place this year.
Sandbanks Beach
Melksham and Devizes had players playing in all ages, it was a better organised on Sunday than Saturday.
Whitefield Grass Tournament
Rain Stopped play this year.
Gloucester Grass Tournament
Entered a Team and Jon Dowell played – the team managed Third place in the mixed section.
Wiltshire Pre-season Tournament
Devizes had players in this tournament and they all played well.
South West League
Although the Junior team were not able to continue this year, Luke, Jon and Liam from Devizes played this season and they have now progressed to National Division 3 team next year – well done guys keep up the good work.
South West RTDP
There were training days running each month stretching from Plymouth to Melksham trying to find the regional talent in the South West region to compete in the Inter-Regionals in May 2008. Again the U15’s squad was well attended, but the U17’s not so many as England cadets tended to train on the same day. Even so, this year the Inter-Regionals were held in Nottingham and it was our turn to win this year in the U15’s as our girl’s had won last year. The U17’s played well and reached 4th place.
U15’s Team U17’s Team
Charlie Grant – Melksham Luke Wiltshire – Devizes
Robert Cannings – Melksham Dan Riddle - Salisbury
Alex Jenkins – Bristol
Jo Waterman – Devizes
George Sayer – Devizes
Grand Prix
This season there were again 4 events, and boys from Melksham and Devizes had boys entered in each age group. Melksham won U11, U12, and U14 boys overall, with Devizes winning U13 and U15 boys overall. There were two extra tournaments this year the South West Championships for U14 and U15’s held at Priory school and Portland sports centre respectively. Melksham and Devizes had more girls teams qualify with one boys team from each club claiming Runner’s up in the U14 category and Third and Fourth in the U15 category.
Wiltshire League
Melksham, Devizes, Calne and Salisbury all had junior players in the league this season. It was good to see juniors keeping up with the big boys and growing in confidence and experience with each match. Although, Melksham didn’t win a match all season they thoroughly enjoyed the matches, Devizes faired very well winning the 1st Division this season.
U15’s Championships
Boy’s from Melksham and Devizes made a team and played as the ‘Wiltshire Mavericks’, this team looks good for next year’s U16 Championships.
U16’s Championships
Boy’s from Melksham and Devizes made a team and played as the ‘Wiltshire Mavericks’, again this team did well but got knocked out before the last 8’s competition.
U17’s Championships
Boy’s from Melksham, Devizes and Salisbury made a team and played as the ‘Wiltshire Mavericks’, again this team did well but got knocked out before the last 8’s competition.
U18’s Championships
Boy’s from Melksham, Devizes and Salisbury made a team and played as the ‘Wiltshire Mavericks’, once again this team played well but lost getting through to the next round by one point. Then we were advised as the team that beat us by one point had withdrawn we were able to try again. So we went to Stourbridge again to play and played well but didn’t qualify for the last 8’s by 3 points this time. Ah well better luck next year guys!
Overall
I believe with the hard work of all South West coaches/managers our boy’s will progress even further next season in all areas. I am looking forward to greeting new members to all of the South West training/tournaments next season, as they say it can only get better!
Finally, I have enjoyed my second season as the Junior Development Officer and watching the youth of Wiltshire progress and hopefully next season will be even better.
Su Brennand