Devon Dumplings v South Oxford Amateurs

Friday 26 August 2016 at Exeter County

DD 183ao SOA 186-6

 HALF-centuries from Adrianne Immerman and Sam Read were not enough to save the Devon Dumplings from a four-wicket defeat against South Oxfordshire Amateurs on the County Ground. The Dumplings, who were asked to bat first in a declaration game, were all out for 183. Opener Immerman made 55 off 46 balls and was one of the few early batsmen to master the pitch, which was wet in places following overnight rain. Opener Freddie Creer went cheaply, as did Graham White, but with Kenton Vos (16) and Immerman putting on 49 for the third wicket it seemed the Dumplings were recovering. Then it all went badly wrong.

 Alex Basford (3-21) and University of Exeter spinner Max Mannering (4-37) sent the Dumplings tumbling to 98 for seven. The rot stopped with eighth-wicket pair Bertie Creer and Read, whose stand of 53 gave the Dumplings a fighting chance. When Creer was stumped for 15, skipper Conrad Sutcliffe went in on a mission to hang around as long as possible. He and Read added 32 for the ninth wicket as the Dumpling’s total rose. 14 year old Read, like the Creer twins, a youth player with Clyst St George, was last man out for 57 off 64 balls. He hit eight fours and was particularly strong when he unfurled his cover drive. 

There were fewer gremlins in the pitch by the time SOA batted, but that didn’t stop them slumping to 76 for five in reply. Immerman and Jacques Budricks took a wicket each and there were two seamer Bertie Creer and a run-out. The Dumplings could not break a stand between James Elwood (69) and Thad Cooper (52no) that took SOA to the brink of victory. By the time the returning Budricks bowled Ellwood, the target was 12 to win with 50 minutes batting time left. Budricks and Creer – definitely one to watch out for in future – had two wickets each.

 Devon Dumplings 183 all out (A Immerman 55, S Read 57, M Mannering 4-37, A Basford 3-21) 

South Oxfordshire Amateurs 186-6 (J Ellwood 69, T Cooper 52no; B Creer 2-27).