Devon Dumplings v Exeter School

Wednesday 11 May 2022 at School

DD 178 Exeter School 150. DD won by 28 runs

After a wet and cool morning the weather improved and we started the game in bright sunshine. Following the efforts of the groundsman we were able to start just 15 minutes late. The Dumplings were one player down due to illness but student & keen cricketer Joe Poustie was quickly signed up to play for the Dumplings when he came to the pavilion looking for his kit. 

Dumplings’ captain Graham White won the toss and elected to bat first in the 35 over match. The Dumplings lost their first wicket in the third over with 12 runs on the board, but a steady innings from opener Ian Hayter, 32, provided a good basis till he was Katie Donovan’s first victim, caught behind by Georgia Read with the score on 71. Donovan took the next 3 wickets, finally removing debutant Jason Van Der Meulen for 61 with the score now 127-6 off 22 overs. Trying to set a winning target, several batters succumbed to catches, 4 being caught by Captain Niall McCarthy. With the usual scramble for runs at the end, the Dumplings lost their last three wickets in the last three overs finishing on 178. 

Both teams then enjoyed a cricket tea, which was a welcome sight after the last two seasons of Covid-19 restrictions.

The School had 12 players, rotating who was on the field. Despite Donovan’s excellent bowling performance and making a runout, she missed out on batting. The School started brightly with Elliot Barnes and James Tyler finding the boundary and taking the score to 44 in the 7th over before they were both out to consecutive balls from Harrison Gribble. McCarthy safely negotiated the hat trick ball. The School then had a quiet period and lost more wickets before Read got the scoreboard going again, taking lots of singles while at the other end Harry Waggett was hitting 4’s, until he was caught for 24 having been dropped the ball before. The score was then 109 for 6 after 23 overs. The School were still behind the required rate and with the introduction of bowler Cameron Cunningham they were steadily losing wickets. It was left to Poustie to take the last wicket when he had Lovell caught behind.

It had been an enjoyable afternoon and many thanks to the School for getting the game on and for being excellent hosts. 

DD: 178 (Van Der Meulen 61, Hayter 32 – Donovan 4/29)

Exeter School 150 (Waggett 24, Barnes 21 – Cunningham 4/21)

 WH