Devon Dumplings v SOA

  Another warm summer morning saw some of the Dumplings arrive at Exeter CC. However their enthusiasm was curbed when it transpired that there had been a mix-up over the date and start-time. The match eventually got underway, SOA winning the toss, and electing to bat despite Dumplings having only ten.

Alex James and off-spinner turned seamer Sam Read opened up with a set of tight overs on what was a helpful pitch for them. Dumplings set some attacking fields, resulting in a good number of shots finding their way into the vacant 11th fielder position. Alex James took an early wicket and spinner Aditya More (Ashburton’s overseas) was brought on early. He produced a fine spell, regularly beating the bat, using a wide variation of deliveries. Sam Read had reverted to spin at the other end, but kept forgetting to give the wicketkeeper Jeremy Tojy the nod when bowling his quicker ball, which meant quite a few runs were leaked behind square. 

SOA were scoring comfortably, so off-spinner Josh Paget was brought on. He struck with 2 wickets in 3 balls, including the prolific Frankie Crouch, giving Dumplings some control. 

Lunch was taken, but not before an over of off-spin from Harry Kandampully attempted to lure the batters into hoicking the ball to a boundary fielder.  They remained untempted.

A solid lunch of Pasta Bake and Garlic Bread meant the Dumplings retook the field a lot slower than earlier.  Spin continued, in various forms, including one over from James Horler (least said soonest mended) but SOA ratcheted up the gears and finished on 253-5 from 47 overs. It looked to be a very good score on a tricky pitch, albeit aided by some leaky fielding. 

 Tojy and Aashay Dube opened the batting with the latter proclaiming he was aiming for six or out every ball. Dube kept his word and clubbed 83 off 40 balls including 4 sixes. He departed in the 9th over, with the score 98/1. Tojy was joined by Kandampully, who made a quick 22 before chipping one up. Tojy fell soon after for an astute 15, leaving Dumplings 130/3 at Tea, with a lot of work still to do.  

Happily the chocolate cake and large volumes of sausage rolls seemed to curb the SOAs athleticism when Shaquan Glasgow and Tallan Burns resumed. Glasgow ended up bludgeoning a well-made 66, including 11 fours, whilst Burns and Horler chipped in with 20 apiece. Dumplings cruised over the line with 15 overs to spare with a beautiful extra cover drive from Aditya More, further extending Horler’s unbeaten captaincy run.  

Many thanks to SOA for a great declaration game, played in good spirit and blessed by beautiful weather. 

SOA 253 for 5 dec (Alex Ross 82, Ben McCure 76*, Edward Phillips 59 – Josh Paget 2/37)

DD 257 for 5 (Aashay Dube 83, Shaquan Glasgow 60* - Colin Allen 3/40)

JH