Devon Dumplings v Wye Rustics

Monday 04 July 2022 at Exeter County

Devon Dumplings 268 for 9 dec. Wye Rustics 180 all out. DD won by 88 runs

 The weather was kind to us after a week of heavy showers, but the temperature was still on the cool side for July. Captain Graham White won the toss and elected to bat first. 

Dumplings opened with debutant Lawrence Walker (ex Blundell’s) and Jeremy Tojy. They made a reasonable start, helped by numerous byes , taking the score to 54 before Tojy (14) was stumped going for a big hit. This partnership proved to be the biggest of the innings, most batters getting some runs. The exception was Greg Evans, on his return to Dumplings cricket after a long break. In his youth he had been a “mini Dumpling”. He was adjudged to be out LBW for a duck. Matt Kimber, batting at 3, soon got his eye in, and played an anchor innings until he was caught on 62 when the score was 180. 

A leisurely lunch was taken at 2:00pm whilst the ground could be used as a school sports field. During the interval Peter Jolliffe made Peter Spencer bequest cap presentations to our two new young players today: Lawrence Walker and George Daldorph. 

Resuming after lunch on 191 for 7, the last three batters all scored useful runs; Daldorph (30), Cameron Cunningham (23*) and Billy Buckingham (21). Dumplings declared with 9 wickets down when Buckingham was out. Wye captain Jack Upton returned the best bowling figures with 50-3.

In reply, Wye Rustics got off to a bad start with their opener back in the pavilion in the first over, bowled by Daldorph without a run on the board. Robert Craze was joined by Connor Fuller and they had a good partnership, putting on 92 before Craze was caught behind by Tojy having made 52. George Weston then held the innings together while other batters perished, including three in quick succession for only 4 runs. These wickets were all taken by Buckingham who finished with impressive figures of 3 for 19. Weston had better support from the tail enders until he gave a high catch to Kimber, having made 45. The score had progressed to 169 for 9. Daldorph, returning for a second spell,  wrapped up the innings, bowling Anderson for 13. Wye Rustics had made 180.

Players returned to the bar where tourists’ fines were handed out. The whole team had (expensively) walked onto the field of play ahead of the umpires. Oh dear.

Our thanks to Exeter CC for preparing the ground. Also to Wye Rustics for the game, and to the Squash Club for preparing both a delicious lunch and tea.

DD 268 for 9 dec. (Matt Kimber 62, George Daldorph 30, Jack Upton 3-50) 

Wye Rustics 180 all out (Robert Craze 52; George Weston 45; Connor Fuller 36; Billy Buckingham 3-19, Cameron Cunningham 3-21) 

WH