BackDevon Tour Report 2025 5 of 7
5. Fixture: Devon Dumplings vs Ashford Tour XI
Fixture: Devon Dumplings vs Ashford Tour XI
Date: Monday 26th May 2025
Venue: Shobrooke Park
Result: Ashford Tour XI win by 2 wickets
On a cloudy and drizzly Monday morning, the tour party's mood was lifted as reinforcements confirmed they had boarded Mansoor Magic Motors and were heading down to Shobrooke Park.
There was some discussion about the format of the game, and the two captains and umpires agreed on 40 overs per side. Devon Dumplings CC won the toss and, after further discussion between the skippers, opted to bat first.
Aftab Afridi and Gurpal Hundal took the new rock on a very green and slightly moist wicket, which definitely favoured the bowlers. The 1st XI opening attack took full advantage of the helpful conditions.
Aftab picked up the first wicket of the day, finding the outside edge of A. James, which was nicely taken by Afzaal Butt at first slip.
The pair showed great control and challenged the Dumplings batters throughout the first 10 overs, conceding only 17 runs.
Mansoor Malik and Ben Simper replaced Aftab and Gurpal respectively and continued to apply pressure, with Mansoor being the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 8-2-18-3.
Craig Turner and Chris Lunn also bowled well in the middle overs, helping ensure the Dumplings' scoring never got out of hand.
All the bowlers were supported by strong ground fielding. Special mention goes to Liam Manning and Riordan Culley, who ensured there were no twos out on the boundary and put their bodies on the line throughout the 40 overs.
The Dumplings finished their innings on 169-6, a competitive score on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers.
A special mention to the Shobrooke Park tea lady, who put on a lovely spread for everyone and, most importantly, ensured there were enough scones for all.
Ashford's Reply
Ashford's reply got off to a shaky start, with both Ibrar Shahid and Ben Simper edging the ball for fours. Ibrar had a bit of luck when he was dropped by the keeper in the second over. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to capitalise and departed for 5, with the score on 12.
This brought Ian Doggett (aka Pup) to the crease. Ben and Pup went about their work, taking advantage of loose deliveries and respecting the good ones. The runs continued to flow, and the pair brought up the 50 partnership in the 11th over.
Pup can consider himself unlucky, he was bowled by a ball that leapt off a length, hit his gloves, and dropped onto the stumps, after the two previous deliveries barely rose above ankle height. He also had the misfortune of consistently middling the ball straight to fielders and departed for 13.
Afzaal then joined Ben at the crease, and the score moved quickly to 74. Ben then feathered an edge to the keeper for a well-crafted 29. The score was soon 76-4 as Liam Manning saw the top of his middle stump pinned back, departing without troubling the scorers.
Riordan Cully, some say the nicest Cully on tour, strode out to join the fluent Afzaal, and the pair added an important 49 runs. Unfortunately, Afzaal ran himself out coming back for a second that would have brought up a well-deserved fifty.
With Afzaal gone, boundaries became harder to come by, and the previously healthy run rate began to dip. Riordan departed for a well-made 14 with the score on 135, and there was still work to be done if Ashford were to get over the line.
Aftab and Mansoor came and went quickly, leaving Ashford at 140-8, with Gurpal and Chris Lunn at the crease.
The mood suddenly shifted from one of confident expectation to “How have we thrown this away?”
But Chris Lunn and Gurpal showed why you can never count Ashford out. They soaked up the pressure as the Dumplings threw everything at them.
Ashford required 4 runs from the final over. First ball: Chris Lunn worked it to square leg for a quick single. Second ball: dot. Three needed from four. The touring party was getting nervous but Gurpal, a man for a crisis, calmly worked the next ball over midwicket for four to win the game.
Conclusion
A very enjoyable day was had by all, with the game played in great spirits and well supported by the touring party.
Thanks to Mark Doggett for umpiring the entire match and to Chris Evans for doing the scoring. The team was especially pleased to deliver a win for Paul Cousens on his birthday.
Date: Monday 26th May 2025
Venue: Shobrooke Park
Result: Ashford Tour XI win by 2 wickets
On a cloudy and drizzly Monday morning, the tour party's mood was lifted as reinforcements confirmed they had boarded Mansoor Magic Motors and were heading down to Shobrooke Park.
There was some discussion about the format of the game, and the two captains and umpires agreed on 40 overs per side. Devon Dumplings CC won the toss and, after further discussion between the skippers, opted to bat first.
Aftab Afridi and Gurpal Hundal took the new rock on a very green and slightly moist wicket, which definitely favoured the bowlers. The 1st XI opening attack took full advantage of the helpful conditions.
Aftab picked up the first wicket of the day, finding the outside edge of A. James, which was nicely taken by Afzaal Butt at first slip.
The pair showed great control and challenged the Dumplings batters throughout the first 10 overs, conceding only 17 runs.
Mansoor Malik and Ben Simper replaced Aftab and Gurpal respectively and continued to apply pressure, with Mansoor being the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 8-2-18-3.
Craig Turner and Chris Lunn also bowled well in the middle overs, helping ensure the Dumplings' scoring never got out of hand.
All the bowlers were supported by strong ground fielding. Special mention goes to Liam Manning and Riordan Culley, who ensured there were no twos out on the boundary and put their bodies on the line throughout the 40 overs.
The Dumplings finished their innings on 169-6, a competitive score on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers.
A special mention to the Shobrooke Park tea lady, who put on a lovely spread for everyone and, most importantly, ensured there were enough scones for all.
Ashford's Reply
Ashford's reply got off to a shaky start, with both Ibrar Shahid and Ben Simper edging the ball for fours. Ibrar had a bit of luck when he was dropped by the keeper in the second over. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to capitalise and departed for 5, with the score on 12.
This brought Ian Doggett (aka Pup) to the crease. Ben and Pup went about their work, taking advantage of loose deliveries and respecting the good ones. The runs continued to flow, and the pair brought up the 50 partnership in the 11th over.
Pup can consider himself unlucky, he was bowled by a ball that leapt off a length, hit his gloves, and dropped onto the stumps, after the two previous deliveries barely rose above ankle height. He also had the misfortune of consistently middling the ball straight to fielders and departed for 13.
Afzaal then joined Ben at the crease, and the score moved quickly to 74. Ben then feathered an edge to the keeper for a well-crafted 29. The score was soon 76-4 as Liam Manning saw the top of his middle stump pinned back, departing without troubling the scorers.
Riordan Cully, some say the nicest Cully on tour, strode out to join the fluent Afzaal, and the pair added an important 49 runs. Unfortunately, Afzaal ran himself out coming back for a second that would have brought up a well-deserved fifty.
With Afzaal gone, boundaries became harder to come by, and the previously healthy run rate began to dip. Riordan departed for a well-made 14 with the score on 135, and there was still work to be done if Ashford were to get over the line.
Aftab and Mansoor came and went quickly, leaving Ashford at 140-8, with Gurpal and Chris Lunn at the crease.
The mood suddenly shifted from one of confident expectation to “How have we thrown this away?”
But Chris Lunn and Gurpal showed why you can never count Ashford out. They soaked up the pressure as the Dumplings threw everything at them.
Ashford required 4 runs from the final over. First ball: Chris Lunn worked it to square leg for a quick single. Second ball: dot. Three needed from four. The touring party was getting nervous but Gurpal, a man for a crisis, calmly worked the next ball over midwicket for four to win the game.
Conclusion
A very enjoyable day was had by all, with the game played in great spirits and well supported by the touring party.
Thanks to Mark Doggett for umpiring the entire match and to Chris Evans for doing the scoring. The team was especially pleased to deliver a win for Paul Cousens on his birthday.