Devon Dumplings v Heffle Cuckoos

Queen’s Park, Paignton Monday 7th September 2020 at 1:30pm.

On a gloomy September day, The Dumplings descended on Paignton for a game rightly centred on the retiring Bernie Wilson. A terrific servant to the club, Bernie was playing his last game, hoping to add to his 88 wickets in the last 4 seasons alone, with his career spanning back much further. The opposition were the Heffle Cuckoos from Sussex, who won the toss and decided to have a bat on a worn pitch.

Despite a probing opening spell from Niall Leahy and Tom Fogerty, the innings was set up well by the top order. Wilson bowled with skill and deception in the middle overs to stem the flow of runs and take wickets at crucial times with figures of 3-29 from 7 overs. Captain Simon Routh added useful runs down the order, with the Cuckoos finishing on 171-7 from their allotted 35 overs, which looked like a competitive total.

Following a quick turnaround, James Ewen and Andrew Maynard opened the Dumplings innings, and made a steady start before they both fell to the first change bowler. With a strong middle order to come, hopes were high, but perhaps misplaced as some tight bowling and a lack of application led to the chase falling to 86-9. Stephen Bourke resisted a large defeat with 22, ably supported by the defence of Bernie Wilson. 

The Dumplings finished 9 down after their 35 overs, well short of the first innings total. After desperate cries of a losing draw were silenced, the attention turned to a fitting presentation to Bernie from Peter Joliffe and the team. Bernie returned some kind words to his team mates, friends, and wife. 

Heffle Cuckoos won by 57 runs.

Heffle Cuckoos 171 for 7. Flint 40, Routh 38*; Wilson 3-29.

Dumplings 114 for 9. James Ewen 28; May 3-21, Pulsford 3-24.