Devon Dumplings v Brasenose Strollers

The Dumplings’ first match of the season at the Valley of Rocks saw several players playing for us for the first time, and also two sets of fathers and sons playing together. Two students making their debuts were presented with Dumplings Caps courtesy of the late Peter Spencer. A touching moment for skipper Ian Hayter as he presented a cap to his 17-year-old son Julian before the match.

That was almost as good as it got for the Dumplings though, as, batting first, Strollers put on 109 for the first wicket in 20 overs.  Openers Richard Montgomerie (ex Northants and Sussex with 20,000 first class and List A runs to his name) and youngster Freddie Smith (rumoured to be Sussex 2nds) got stuck in to our bowlers. They didn’t have it all their own way though. Despite the very windy conditions initially Joe Hastie and particularly George Daldorph bowled well enough, but without luck. Taking the field with only 10 players for the first eight overs didn’t help either, but traffic in N Devon in the summer was ever thus.

Kiran Kumar made the breakthrough though, with a crafty full toss which Montgomerie spanked straight to Andrew Daldorph to see him depart for 54. There then followed a period of relative calm as Lee Nessling bowled a tidy spell and then offie Joe Poustie bowled four good overs taking two wickets for just 14 – an LBW and a smart catch from keeper Julian Hayter. However in his fifth over Freddie Smith took a liking to Joe, despatching him for four 6s in a row; and there began the mayhem…90 off the next 7.2 overs…

Freddie’s innings was one few will forget, hitting 13 4s and 13 6s in his 173* off 115 balls.  There was little any of our bowlers could do except admire his clean hitting. You cannot set a field for that kind of batting, and we were all concerned for the safely of the resident mountain goats as the ball was flying half way up the hillsides that surround the ground. Unfortunately for us his team-mates kept finding and then returning the ball each time it went up and over the boundary. 

P Arnold came in when Harry Everett bowled Price (or more precisely Price managed to hit the ball onto his own stumps) and joined in the fun, hitting 42* off 27 balls. Strollers’ declaration came after 42.2 overs at 304-4.

The bowling figures didn’t make for pretty reading, although George Daldorph’s 9 overs for 42 runs was excellent under the circumstances, and of course two wickets for Joe Poustie.

After the break we were soon in trouble as Ewan Williams (LBW ), Stuart Duerden (ran himself out thinking the fielder was throwing the ball to the other end…) and Julian (also LBW, ) were all dismissed before we had reached 22; not the kind of start you want when chasing a score of 300+. But there followed a recovery of sorts as surviving opener Andrew Daldorph and Harry Everett put on 55 in good time before Everett was smartly stumped for 18.

 That brought in Ian Hayter to join Andrew, leaving it to two over-50s to show the youngsters how it’s done! 

76-4 chasing 305 to win is a long way off, but the two oldies played sensibly, not taking many (or even any!)  quick singles, and waiting for the bad ball and putting it away.  They more than doubled the score and the mid-over chats centred around taking it  ball by ball.  The Strollers’ generous declaration meant that we had plenty of time and plenty of overs, judging the rate needed to be around 6 or 7 which was happening without any risks. But then one kept a little low and did for Hayter for 42 off 51 balls with five 4s and two 6s, leaving the score at 154-5. 

Daldorph was caught soon after for 79, trying to maintain the rate, 10 fours in that innings with two sixes as well.

Kumar and Andrew’s son George did their best to carry on looking for the win, but both fell to Davis, whose tidy line and length gave him figures of 5-32 off 11 overs.

Lee Nessling ( 0 n.o.) had no intention of blocking out the last 15 overs to salvage a draw and swung viciously at almost every one of the 10 deliveries he faced; had he connected with any of them the ball would probably still be in the air even now.

Both Joes ( Poustie and Hastie) tried sticking around but when Poustie was bowled, having kept them at bay for 14 balls, it was all over.

After the match the sun really shone and it was clear why the Strollers – and the Dumplings – appreciated playing at such a ground. North Devon at its best!

A big thank you to Lynne for scoring and Tim for umpiring, and Wendy for all the organising, help and support. Definitely the A team!

Strollers: 304-4 dec (Freddie Smith 173*, R Montgomerie 54, P Arnold 42*; Joe Poustie 2-38)

Dumplings: 185ao (Andrew Daldorph 79, Ian Hayter 42, B Davis 5-32)