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The Sweep 26 End of Year Part 2: Stanley is Cornwood’s Colt of the Year
Words: Simon Travers
The 2026 season came to a close on Sunday with a final defeat for the Women’s Firsts at Exmouth. The Oak Park Sisterhood travelled to the Maer to close out as challenging a season as the team has ever faced. It did not get any easier on Sunday as Exmouth ensured the Women’s Firsts finished bottom of the table by bowling them out for 68. Keira De Villiers provided resistance with 26 from 27 but Amelie Baxter was able to claim 3 wickets without conceding a run. Cornwood shared the bowling around as Exmouth made 70-5 in 7.5 overs.
The numbers don’t lie as the DWCL Division One league table shows Cornwood’s team had their worst ever record with their fewest points scored. The table shows what has been clear all season, our young team is approximately 80 runs and 4 wickets per match short of being competitive with the DWCL elite. However, those numbers do not tell half the story of a courageous, resilient, and learning young side. Helly Simpson’s team have had to rebuild from scratch around a core of developing teenagers. 18 players made league appearances for Cornwood in DWCL league matches. 11 of those players were colts who combined for 56 out of 110 possible team appearances. We know this side can play because they deliver against their age group and draw county level attention. It’s just a matter of time and hard work before this team starts going places.
Gemma Lancaster (177 at 25.29) edged out captain Helly Simpson (173 at 19.22) for top run scorer of the year, although Helly’s excellent 85* at North Devon was arguably the team’s champagne moment. Keira De Villiers consistently delivered solid all-round performances, often when the team needed it the most. Keira made 136 at 15.11 with the bat and was by far the team’s leading wicket taker with 12 at 21.75. Imogen Garland also had a breakthrough year, making her first adult 50 in a T20 clash against Plymouth 2XI.
The only other match played over the weekend was a 12-a-side friendly against St Mary Bourne on Saturday. The fixture marked birthday celebrations for Matt Skeemer and Ryan Rickard. Ryan took greater advantage of the occasion making an unbeaten 71 ball century in a total of 274-9. There were runs also for Stanley Baker (43), James Richardson (38) and Matt Butterworth (31). Even with an extra wicket, St Mary Bourne were bowled out for 157, with Ryan Rickard continuing his party with figures of 3-15 and Chris Parker taking 3-25.
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The clubhouse was rammed on Friday night for the weekend’s main event as over 100 parents, colts and team managers gathered for Colts’ awards night. The guests were looked after by the club’s committed bar and catering team, who capped another incredible year of care and service by ensuring all were fed and watered.
The night’s awards started with the youngest and worked their way towards the whole club awards at the end. Every coach made sure to recognise how appreciated our Colts parents are. It takes a lot of commitment and energy to get players to training and matches, sometimes three or more times a week. Everyone at the club knows that nothing happens without parents deserving awards too.
As is traditional, Andy Rickard began by describing something of the Friday afternoon madness of Acorns, with a group of 3-6 year olds hitting the ball and enjoying themselves. Andy thanked Ziggy and the half-dozen parents who helped support the sessions. As ever, Acorns is a lot of hard work, a lot of fun, and a great first step on the Cornwood pathway.
Nick Goodliffe reported on an enjoyable summer with the Under 11 Softball and squads. Trying to combine Dynamos and softball into Friday night sessions has worked quite well. There’s space for some silliness, but there’s lots of talent from future hardball players that can be shaped with hard work and dedication. The squads did well when given the chance of festival cricket too. Nick reminded the squads and parents that the best hour of the week through winter, Monday nights at Ivybridge Community College, start again from 14th September.
Alex Robinson introduced the Under 11s Hardball awards by recognising the big jump from softball to hardball. The team did not know what to expect at the start of the year, having limited hardball experience. They very much came good, winning 10 games out of 15. Alex was most impressed at the hard work of the players to transform from having a go to becoming a solid team. Flo was named Most Improved. She turned up for the first time in winter training and turned into a dependable bowler, a quality fielder and a brave batter with a developing cricket brain. Artie won Best Fielder for improving from being worried and apprehensive to running around with a sharp throw and learning to wicket keep. Freddie was an obvious choice for Best Bowler. Under 11 bowlers get 2-3 overs a match, so taking 12 wickets was a big haul. Best Batter was Sam, who was rewarded for scoring 144 runs, playing every game and stepping up to Under 13s for the first time.
The Under 13s Softball Girls were coached by Rob Way. The girls have made a great team effort, showing how they have improved with more game time. They won a couple of games and have been competitive. Bella and Ellie have helped with training and been supportive role models with helpful cricket knowledge. Orla was named Best Batter for the way she developed having not played cricket before this year. Ava was a regularly consistent performer awarded Best Bowler. Best Fielder Faye was dependable in the field and tried hardball for the first time, while Etta was named Most Improved. She started last season and didn’t want to play at first, but is now confident to open the batting or bowling.
Jon Way talked through an incredibly busy season for the Under 12s and 13s, with 27-28 games across the age groups. The headline was that the Tier 1 team won their league. This was a massive achievement, including beating Paignton and Plymouth twice. The tier 2 team won more than they lost while developing. There were many wonderful performances and brilliant games and Jon offered thanks to Tim for scoring and umpiring support.
For the Under 12s, Lukey won Most Improved, growing into a wicket taking machine by the end of season. Theo won Best Fielder for being an enthusiastic Duracell bunny in the field. Tarun won the Batting award having shown impressive technique and made two fifties. Freddie was named Best Bowler. His personal highlight was taking 3 wickets in a final over to tie a seemingly lost match at Teignmouth.
The Under 13s Most Improved was a pleasure to award. Ned has shown capability with bat and ball and arguably made the best U13s match-winning innings of the season at home to Plymouth. Seth got the Fielding award with a bucket pair of hands. As a good allrounder, he could have received the batting or bowling award but was noted for his brilliant catches and run outs. Marriott was eighth across the whole club for wickets taken in 2026, and with wickets for Devon and his school too, was a clear choice for Best Bowler. Yasser won Best Batter. He was sixth across the whole club for runs scored, with an ability to hit the ball miles, but also show touch shots like his did in the last over of a crunch P&D match. Both Yasser and Marriott have been selected for their Devon age group winter training.
Marc Whaley reported on the Under 15s girls side. The team was a new group this year. Only 3 were Under 15 with the rest under 13s or 14s. Obvious highlight of the year was an away win against a Paignton side led by two county level sisters. From that upset, the team went on a 5 winning streak. The girls involved are flourishing and getting opportunities to represent at county level and MCC foundation. Marc wanted to thank Chris for the times he kept score. Winner of the Fielder award was Charlotte for a stellar season with three catches and four run outs in 10 matches. Lily was a natural choice for Best Bowler as the team’s leading wicket taker, with the best strike rate, best average and most overs. She also took 4 catches and 3 run outs. Batter of the year was competitive as Charlotte, Zara, Lily and Ojasvie all had retirement innings. Ojasvie wins the award for a 52* in 41 balls against Plymouth in an Under 17s match. Marc made sure that everyone was aware how close the Most Improved award was. Millie deserved recognition for making progress and loving her cricket, but the award went to Amelia who made big steps as a new player in the team.
Last but never least, Chewy reported on the Under 15s season, making sure to shout out the Friday coaching team of Julian Burrows, Simon Garland, Chris Bowden, and Sam Griffiths. It was a mixed season where the squad maybe slightly underperformed in a league of fine margins. There were still highlights though like dismantling countywide Tier 1 Champions Plymouth at their home ground in the ECB Cup. The team made the Devon Cup final but lost out to Heathcoat, and beat some tough teams to get there. The South Wales tour was also another special moment. Under 15s continues to be a pathway to adult cricket as 9 squad members have played DCL matches while a further 8 have played P&D or Fives.
In the Under 14s, Will was named Most improved showing 100% commitment as his bowling has come on hugely. Noah K won Best Fielder for 6 catches while rarely misfielding. He shows he cares and has high standards. Harvey was named Best Bowler. Coming into season, Chewy thought he was an aggressive batsman, but then saw him bowl. Harvey is a reliable seamer, often opening for the Fives who took a five-fer against Modbury. Noah G was named Best Batter having scored fifth most runs across the whole club and opened for all Tier 1 matches.
In the Under 15s, Ben won Most Improved in his first year at Cornwood. Ben is keen and coachable, and was called up to the Fives for first adult game. Charlie was named Best Fielder with 18 fielding victims in all matches. Charlie was a key player in the Tier 1 team and represented the Twos as well in a superb season. Tommy Burrows was named Best Bowler for 38 wickets across Under 15s, Under 17s, Fours, Threes and Twos. He has scary raw pace. Best Batter was Eoin, who captained the Under 15s alongside Stan. He built team confidence by adapting to any situation, digging in or expressing himself as needed.
The last awards of the night were the Club Awards, which are available to all colts, but mostly focus on Under 15s as the highest age group. The Bev Matthews Award is for the Junior Club Person of the Year, someone who gives extra. Lennon won the award for helping with coaching, scoring and umpiring with a smile on his face. The Bill Pinney Award for a Champagne Moment can be won by colts or adult cricketers. This year, despite strong competition, it was won by Seth for taking 3 wickets in a final over against Paignton to win a match. The Brian Gould Trophy is for sportsmanship and effort to improve. This year’s winner had commitment to improve in abundance. Imogen had a remarkable season at club and county level, flourishing after having taking a break from cricket a couple of seasons ago. Eoin won Colts Managers Award for consistent performance over the year. Across the club, he made 505 runs and took 35 wickets. Nobody played more cricket for Cornwood in 2026 with a consistency that earned Eoin 3 appearances in the 2XI and a spot on the 3XI finals day squad.
Colt of the Year is awarded to the best player who qualifies across the colts set up. This year that title clearly belongs to Stanley. He co-captained the Under 15s and other players respected him. He played First XI cricket all season, with the undoubted high point being a first half century against eventual Devon Champions Paignton. He has made half centuries for his Devon age group and School 1XI, with a ton for his School age group team, and had the opportunity to play up a year for Devon. Stanley is an ambassador for the club and his family, and we are all deeply proud of him.
Nick Goodliffe closed the night with a final thankyou for Colts Manager, Ryan ‘Chewy’ Hewitt. Chewy has been in the role for about 4 years and has made a huge impact in the development of the club. He shows a great level of organisational and administrative nous, and doesn’t shy away from difficult decisions. Chewy is the example of going above and beyond because he loves the club and the sport we play. His role as Under 15s manager is complete, and it’s time for others to step up, but Nick explained that he is still working on trying to convince Chewy to stay as leader of the Colts set up. However that decision goes, one thing is for sure, Chewy’s impact as a coach and leader is going to be felt across Oak and Delamore Park for decades to come.
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