Devon Dumplings v W Buckland School

On a typical mizzling high Devon morning, the start was delayed to allow the pitch to dry a bit  and resulted in the game becoming  limited overs format after lunch. A team including husband and wife Ali and Sally Poll was probably a first in Dumplings’ history.   10 players were supplemented by a School sub and he took a vital catch.

West Buckland’s captain, Ed Wilson (also a Dumpling), lost the toss and Ian Hayter had no hesitation in inserting the hosts. They lost a wicket in the first over, courtesy of a Giles Bashford in-swinger. West Buckland were very soon 26-3 and then 33-4 as Alex James also got stuck in to their top order. However a recovery by Noah Tovell (18) and Navinda Vanderbona took them to 75 before Julian Hayter nipped out the impressive Tovell and then Charlie Tucker first ball. There then followed another useful partnership of 90, Vanderbona leading from the front with an excellent 80. He was eventually caught on the boundary with a remarkable catch taken by Julian Hayter, while Jac D scored 26 before being  caught ( ironically) by his school-fellow! 165-6 became 189 all out as Ali Poll mopped up the tail with guile and cunning too great for the youngsters to deal with.

DDs had a steady start, reaching 56-2 before Kelvin Lockwood (41)  on debut and Julian Hayter (50) came together, adding 81 for the third wicket as the gloom intensified. Ali and Sally Poll added 13 runs to see the innings past the winning post.

Two caps were awarded to debutant youngsters: Jack Ancil and Elliot Currie.

West Buckland were excellent hosts as always. Big thank you to umpires Mark Davies and Angus Calder, and to scorers Wendy and Derek Hardy.

West Buckland: 189 (Navindu Vanderbona 80, Jac D 26; Ali Poll 3/20, Alex James 2/13, Julian

Hayter 2/18)

DD: 192 for 6 (Julian Hayter 50, Kelvin Lockwood 41; Navindu Vanderbona 2/19, Issie O 2/29)

IH