With the Old Boys by tradition batting first, it was a shock when opener Ian Gear was dismissed first ball by a vicious beamer courtesy of Paddy Colville. Thereafter, the School bowlers persistently produced hostile pace and tricky variation. Years 9 (Tom Whiteley) and 10 (Archie Benn, Paddy Colville, John Skinner) taking an astonishing 8 wickets between them. Only Old Boys, Rob Gear (21) and captain George Laing (23) threatened to effectively break free, restricting their total to 129 all out.

The School reply was not so convincing as their tight, probing bowling and excellent fielding. After the young openers (one year 8) fell cheaply to the Old Boys’ fierce onslaught, five of the rest rather carelessly gave catches (notably captain James Russell on 20), despite having shown their strokes. By contrast Tom Whitely brilliantly crafted 33, only to be carelessly (and superbly run out), a fate shared by Paddy Colville (12). This left Mr Ford and Archie Benn to gather 20 runs, a task doughtily completed despite old boys appeals for LBW, to give school a one wicket victory.

Thoroughly and rightly amicable though this match was, no quarter was given in a tense and thrilling encounter. The school X1, in part young and coltish, yet proved pantherish and resilient, aided by their wiley, sprightly coach Mr Dom Ford. The Old Boys too, comprising of leavers from the 1960’s on and utilising some “gentle” trickery of maturity, lacked not for raw aggression. Conditions also encouraged pugnacity, bright and breezy yet cloudy weather providing swing and the pitch offering bounce and bite. This was an excellent day’s cricket, thanks to all.
 

Team: West Buckland 1st Team Score: 133 for 9 Overs: 29.3 Players: Isaac Windley (WK) James Tyson James Russell (C) Jack Jarvis Tom Whiteley Nick Evans Paddy Colville John Skinner Joe Hastie Mr D Ford Archie Benn

Team: OWBA Score: 129 for 10 Overs: 39.4 Players: Rob Gear (89-97G) Ian Gear (92-00G) Simon Jennings (03-10B) George Laing (09-14G) (C) Rolf Merchant (05-10G) Ed Reader (05-12G) (WK) Bernie Wilson (60-66B) William Popplewell (01-10G) Rhys Williams (03-10G) Jeremy Allcock (74-86F) David Vick (97-08B) Paul Pigden (65-70F)

Mike Tucker (72-15S)