Devon Dumplings v Exeter School

Wednesday 02 May 2018 at School

DD 205-7 School 203-4

 The Dumplings made a winning start to their season, with a cracking match against Exeter School. Despite heavy overnight and morning rain, the scheduled 35 over match was able to start on time and The School fielded a strong side featuring numerous young Dumplings, including their captain Jamie Khan. Dumplings skipper for the day was Graham White who called incorrectly at the toss and – not unpredictably – we were asked to bat first on a damp pitch. Andrew Donovan and Tom Lammonby took the new ball and the Dumplings openers were Australian Oliver West and Robin Fern, both making their debuts. In the testing conditions a little fortune would always likely be required and the Exeter School team dropped some early chances. A fine partnership then developed to see us reached 48 for no wicket off the first ten overs. The School turned to the off spin of Sam Read (another Dumpling) and he made the breakthrough trapping West lbw for a well crafted 29. This brought Sam’s father Tim Read to the crease, who departed shortly after lbw to Ben Hayes’ seamers. Andy Pitt followed soon after for 9. There was then a fine partnership for the fifth wicket of 121 between Robin Fern and Graham White, who took advantage of some loose bowling. White hit 58 at a run a ball Fern carried on to an impressive 90. The Dumplings posted what appeared to be a very competitive 205 off their 35 overs with Hayes taking 5 for 28. 

In reply, Sam Read and Ben Abrahams (yet another Dumpling) made a solid start against some testing bowling from the Thorverton CC pairing of Australian Ben Slaviero and Andy Pitt. Read fell caught in the deep for 29 to bring in Tom Lammonby who looked in fine form and contributed a quickfire 40. He was assisted by an awful drop at slip by White and it took a fine catch from Oliver West at backward square leg to dismiss him. Abrahams crafted a solid 60 before being caught on the boundary by Read off the bowling of long time Dumpling and now Exeter School teacher Dominic Tuohy. The School were ‘behind the clock’ and something special would now be required to win. That was delivered by Jamie Khan who smashed 44 in just 29 balls including 4 sixes. He was helped by James Horler (yet another Dumpling) who chipped in with 21. The opening pair were brought back on and Pitt bowled Horler around his legs of the final ball of the penultimate over. This left 7 runs to win off the final over to be bowled by Ben Slaviero. An excellent over of ‘death bowling’ saw just 4 runs conceded and The Dumplings celebrated a fine win. The match was competitive but played in great spirits and credit is due to The School for both getting the game on and being excellent hosts. 

Devon Dumplings 205 for 7 (R. Fern 90, G. White 58, B. Hayes 5/28). 

Exeter School 203 for 4 (B. Abrahams 60, T Lammonby 40, J Khan 44*, D. Tuohy 2 for 43). Devon Dumplings won by 3 runs (35 overs).