Devon Dumplings v W Buckland School

Wednesday 21 June 2017 at School

DD 246-5 School 200-9

  On the warmest day of the year so far, the Dumplings batted first with Nigel Ashplant and Ian Hayter opening and playing steadily until Ashplant was caught behind for 17 off James Russell. Steve Waters and Hayter kept the score ticking over until Hayter was LBW for 40 which included eight 4’s, with the score on 85. The outfield was very quick and Dan Takle and Waters kept the boundaries flowing, until a loose shot from Takle cost him his wicket for 17. Eric Bridge joined Waters and they took the score to 128 for 3 at lunch. The first ball after lunch from spinner Cowling, kept exceptionally low and bowled Bridge for 6, which brought Steve Bourke to the crease who immediately increased the run rate by attacking the bowling with some very powerful shots, one of which hit a window of the school hall, which fortunately did not break. Steve Waters was keeping the score flowing too with some lovely shots in the partnership of 92, before Bourke was stumped off young James Tyson for 55 valuable runs. Chalky White joined Waters and took the score to 246 for 5 when the innings was declared after 45 overs, leaving Waters and White not out on 72 and 6 respectively.

 Dumplings opened the bowling with speed from Bourke and spin from Bernie Wilson who, after a few looseners, managed to bowl a straighter ball which Moberly missed and Ian Hayter brilliantly stumped the batsman for nought. Bourke a few overs later, caught and bowled Windley, after a loose shot for 6 and then a big partnership of 80 began, between James Russell and James Tyson, who opened the school innings. They both batted very sensibly hitting the loose balls well, until Steve Bourke brilliantly ran out Tyson, who made 45 with a direct throw which hit the stumps, with the score on 98. While Russell was scoring steadily at one end, wickets were falling with Paul Berman taking 2 and Wilson 1. With the penultimate over of the game to be bowled by Bourke, the school were 200 for 6 and had looked at one stage to be in a good position to win the game. Then Bourke unleashed a ball that bowled Russell comprehensively for a very good 95, his next ball bowled john Skinner for 0 and 2 balls later, he had Archie Benn LBW for 0. What an unforgettable over this was, as his speed had the school batsmen reeling. Unfortunately, Wilson could not take the final wicket in the last over to win the game, which left Tom Whitely and Patrick Coleville not out, on 20 and 0 respectively, to earn the School a draw. What a great game of timed cricket it was, with both sides bowling exactly 45 overs each and special thanks must go to the school for looking after us so well in the heat, with cool drinks on tap all day.

 D.D. 246 for 5 dec (45 overs. Steve Waters 72*, Steve Bourke 55, Ian Hayter 40) DREW with West Buckland School 200 for 9 (James Russell 95, James Tyson 45, Steve Bourke 4-22, Paul Berman 2-40, Bernie Wilson 2-52).