Devon Dumplings v Blundell's

Wednesday 15 June 2022 at School

Devon Dumplings 203 for 7 Blundell’s 150. DD won by 53 runs

 It was a lovely day, the warmest of the summer so far and perfect for a cricket match. Captain Graham White won the toss and elected to bat in this 30 over game. 

The Dumplings opened with Matt Hewer (82) and Felix Joseph (61).   Max Mayor started economically with 3 runs off his first 3 overs but soon boundaries were coming quite freely, often going aerial. Joseph hit a massive 6 back over the bowler’s head and followed that up with another 6 three balls later to reach his 50 off 45 balls. Hewer had just reached his 50 when Joseph was caught on 61 with the score on 123. Hewer and  Harry Kandampully (36) enjoyed a steady partnership of 68 runs from 7 overs, but with opener Mayor back on and the Dumplings looking for more quick runs the last 4 overs were hectic for the scorers with 6 wickets falling. Mayor took the wickets of Kandampully and Hewer in consecutive balls, thanks to a superb one-handed catch by Seb Linnitt, taken behind him in mid air. Mayor missed out on a hat trick but he took another couple of wickets in his next over and finished with well deserved figures of 4 for 23. Ben Coen wasn’t going to be left out and he got two wickets in the last over of the game with the Dumplings finishing on 203 for 7. 

Before the second innings commenced Peter Jolliffe made a cap presentation to new player Jonty Walliker as part of the Peter Spencer bequest and also presented caps sponsored by himself to new overseas players Aditya More and Adam Bilston. A team photograph followed and Dumplings took the field with Tom Russell a student at the School subbing due to Dumplings’ 11th player being still engaged at Taunton where Somerset were unexpectedly putting up a good show on the last day against Surrey.

 Walliker opened the bowling and after conceding a four off the first ball of the match, Harry Southgate edged to Ruben Minnaar at second slip where he took a good low catch. Jack Whitaker then came to the crease and played an anchor innings while wickets fell around him. Lawrence Walker played an assured innings of 26 before he was bowled by Billy Buckingham. Whitaker (46) became the first of three victims for Ruben Minnaar, brought on at the end, when the School had reached 129 for 8. Captain Sammy Broomhead and Ben Coen both scored a couple of boundaries but Minnaar proved too good for the boys and they were all out for 150. 

There is a proposal for playing a declaration game next season but that would have to be earlier in the season due to exams. 

DD:            203 for 7 (Matt Hewer 82, Felix Joseph 61, Max Mayor 4/23)

Blundell’s: 150 (Jack Whitaker 46, Lawrence Walker 26, Ruben Minnaar 3/27)

WH