Devon Dumplings v Exeter School

 Match Manager Graham White, being injured, could only watch from the sidelines and handed over the captaincy to Exeter O.B. James Horler. White had packed his team with old Exonians, some even dating back to the 1980s, and including one pair of siblings. There was a certain amount of sibling rivalry between the two teams. 

Horler won the toss and elected to bat first in the 40 over game in humid conditions with rain clouds circling the ground. Before the start debutants Katie Donovan and Wali Muhammod were awarded their Dumplings caps. 

Ian Hayter( a former Junior Dumpling) and Wali Muhammod opened steadily. Hayter had to contend with some hostile bowling from James Tyler, and at the other end Muhammod was bowled by first change bowler Alex James with a ball that kept low. By the time James had bowled his third over the top 3 Dumplings were back in the pavilion, as was our umpire who was suffering from dehydration. A 78 run 4th wicket partnership between Horler and Elliot Barnes started slowly but soon both were scoring freely until Barnes (36) was caught on the boundary by a juggling Harry Arden . The score was then 149 in the 31st over. Andrew Donovan came to the wicket and was soon playing some stylish shots. Horler was looking good, having already reached 50 off 55 balls and seemed to be pressing on towards a century. He tried to play a ramp shot but only ended flat on his back. Just after a change of gloves and with two overs to go, he was caught behind by Harry Sharp taking a good high catch off the bowling of Imogen Daldorph. She had bowled well and deserved a wicket. The Dumplings had reached 221 for 6 from their 40 overs. 

After a good cricket tea, including some delectable chocolate brownies, Exeter School opened their innings with Arden and Eddie Cockran. However  it was already spitting with rain, and after just 10 balls, the rain, though prayed for by gardeners,  proved too heavy for the players. It rained for 25 minutes but after the very dry spell the ground was too hard to easily absorb the moisture. The square became squelchy, and with the covers unfortunately  leaking, the game had to be abandoned. 

DD 221 for 6 (Horler 88, Barnes 36, Hayter 29 – James 4/25) 

ES 13 

WH