A clear blue sky and bright sun gave a sparkling setting for the first game of the season, tempered only by a sharp easterly wind. It was a tribute to the wide appeal the Club has that we were able to field a team where only one player was below 50, in deference to our opponents. The side was captained by Ian Hayter. He had not fulfilled that role since 1985, when he captained the Juniors Dumplings team that flourished between 1963 and 1991. His recollection of Peter Spencer’s presence, pipe in hand, was particularly poignant.

The square was firm and dry and the outfield trimmed and even.

Dumplings elected to bat first and got off to a sprightly start. Facing some brisk pace from Lambert and swing from Baglivi, 50 came up in 13 overs. Flicker was first out for 19, but Newing and Pyle added runs until Newing retired on 50 ( 55 balls). Three quick wickets suddenly changed the tone and at 100 for 6 in 23 overs, a decent total seemed unlikely. Any such fears were banished by a powerful innings of 37 (from 29) by Jon Martin with Ashplant contributing 26 (from 40). Bell entered the fray and runs continued to flow, including a 3 and an all-run 4 – a notable feat in a Seniors game. The last five overs produced 37 runs, including two successive sixes from Battin – 24 off 17.

Baglivi and Buckley bowled very tidily for Devon Seniors, but part-timers Shephard and Stanton suffered from having to bowl the last few overs. On a good pitch and a flat outfield, 213 was not an unassailable target.

The Seniors’ innings started extremely slowly in the face of accurate bowling by Battin and Bell. Shephard skied a swirling high catch to Berman at midwicket, having scored 2 off 17 balls, and Matthews fell LBW to him 16 overs later with the score on 55 after 21 overs. Some outstanding fielding and chasing, notably by Crocker, helped to limit the score.

Keen (28 off 44) livened things up a little, but Stanton’s 50 from 116 balls left little room for the target ever to be in reach.

Devon Seniors ended their 40 overs having scored 135 and lost 3 wickets.

Battin ( 8-4-11-0) and Bell (8-2-23-1) bowled admirably mean spells. Goff caused consternation for the batsman by bowling a variety of right arm over and left arm round spin.
The day ended well with two evenly matched sides having enjoyed the sunshine asnd the chance to warm up for the season.

DD: 213 – 8 ( Newing 50 n.o.; Martin 37; Battin 24)

Devon Seniors: 135-3 ( Stanton 50 n.o.)