Devon Dumplings v South Oxfordshire Amateurs

Thursday 05 August 2021 at Brasenose College

DD 183-6 dec (35) SOA 19-0 (2.2) Abandoned Rain

Yesterday's sunshine had fled and it was a damp and windy day with the outfield lush and green. The return to Brasenose was necessitated by the state of the square at Queen's.
 DD won the toss and elected to bat. Two backfoot shots left the innings at a perilous 6-2, but brought together James Horler and Sam Read. Whilst Horler was more circumspect, Read set out his stall immediately, flicking his first ball to backward square leg for 4. He proceeded to lay in to the bowling to the tune of three sixes and  another 4 and had reached 28 from 16 balls. He then struck a huge blow down to long on, but the strong headwind held it up just enough for a leaping Ayyaz Mallick to take a remarkable catch.
Dominic Tuohey joined Horler and they added 40 in good time. Tuohey was trapped LBW by Junaid Aziz. Harry Everett then kept Horler company . He was now striking the ball well and they pushed the score on as much as possible in between breaks for rain.
Horler was on 99 when he swept a straight ball and was bowled. Bentley came and went in identical fashion and the innings was declared leaving SOA a challenging but accessible target, weather permitting.

An excellent lunch had been taken early due to rain and the same happened at tea. Despite mutterings that, after such a copious lunch tea came too soon, it all disappeared and play resumed for one last attempt to finish the game. Sadly a heavy downpour meant it had become impractical to continue and the game was finally abandoned after only two overs.

The only consolation was that the struggle can be rejoined when SOA come on tour to Devon later in the month.                             PMB

DD: 183-6 dec : Horler 99
SOA: 19-0