Devon Dumplings v Haberdasher's Askes

Wednesday 10 July 2019 at Sidmouth

DD 257 Haberdasher's 104

 A bright sunny morning by the sea saw the arrival of a lively group of schoolboys ready to do battle with a similarly youthful Dumplings side. 
Having won the toss the visitors nevertheless invited Dumplings to bat first. The early departure of talented S African opener Ruben Minnaar and then also Ollie Allsop seemed to justify this with the scoreboard showing 17-2. However, a brisk stand of 102 between Dave Hartley and Joe Farmer levelled the balance. Farmer went for a good 38 and Hartley was joined by Harry Kandampully. They proceeded to add 87 in a very few overs, a stand brought to an end when Kandampully was caught off the bowling of Muralitharan for 39. The assault continued with the arrival of Kian Burns, as 51 runs were added for the last five overs. Hartley had by then crashed 114 (12 boundaries). The School’s bowlers had battled bravely, with Cobb 8-0-30-0 and Padki 8-0-40-0 both returning very presentable figures in the circumstances.
 A very fine tea separated the innings and on resumption the School set off at a good pace. Some fine driving from the captain Jegatheesan against the pace of Archie Farkins and Jasper Presswell saw the score move briskly to 23. However, Padki then nicked an edge to Charlie Presswell in the slips. Further brisk stroke play took the score to 47 but then Jegatheesan was undone by the brisk and accurate leg-spin of Charlie Presswell. His 29 had included 6 boundaries. Presswell continued his spell and tore the heart out of the School batting. His consistency of length and line were beyond the abilities of the youthful opposition to cope. The introduction of the slow off-spin of Bernie Wilson induced several false shots and three catches. Apart from a brief flourish by Taif Choudhury the innings subsided and the School were all out in the 26th over. Charlie Presswell had bowled an exceptional spell, Bernie Wilson took three wickets and Jasper Presswell and Paul Berman one each. 
The School played with youthful exuberance and maintained good spirits in facing a strong but essentially equally young Dumplings side. They were perhaps a little distracted by the extraordinary game unfurling that afternoon in Manchester. Dumplings 257 (40 overs) Hartley 114 n.o.; Kandampully 39; Farmer 38; Burns 32 n.o. ; Khandiya 54-2 Haberdashers 104 (25.1 overs) Jegatheesan 29; S.Singh 29; C Presswell 6-3-10-4; Wilson 7.1-0-36-3