Shobrooke Park 16 August 2023

Captain Ben Jefferis

Won by 28 runs

SOA 206 for 7 (Jordan Graham 53, Isaac Cottrell 40, Alex Ross 32)

Shobrooke Park 178 for 9 

In a very un-SOA manner, all of the week one fixtures were played on a 40-over win / lose basis but still managed to provide much entertainment and ensured that some excitement was guaranteed for all.

Moving onto the equally fine Shobrooke Park venue, Ben Jefferis skippered, won the toss and elected to bat on another fine day out in the Devon sunshine.

After the loss of both openers, John de Bhal and Alex Ross restored order taking the score from 15 for 2 to 76 for 3 before the former fell to a return catch off Joe Harris for 24. Two more wickets fell in quick succession including Ross departing for 32 and SOA needing some runs to give the home side something to think about during their run chase.

Tiddington overseas Isaac Cottrell and Bajan youngster Jordan Graham provided the necessary class and acceleration with both bats impressing, particularly Graham who, at only 15, promises to be a very fine cricketer indeed, as the pair helped boost the score to 154 for 6 before Cottrell fell for 40.

Graham (53) continued on his way to a maiden SOA half-century and with some useful runs from Alex Basford (21 not out) the innings closed on 206 for 7 from the 40-over allocation, Harris and William O’Sullivan both picking up two wickets for the home side.

Tea was moved to a (very enjoyable) post-match BBQ allowing the match to continue in quick order and Jefferis turned to the miserly Pres (1 for 13 from his 8) and Basford (1 for 33) to apply early scoreboard pressure, which they duly did, whilst Shobrooke batters Jermain Harding and Richard Pyle looked to consolidate from a precarious 6 for 2 to ensure they would both have a look at the change bowlers and set about building a partnership.

 Frankie Crouch and the particularly luckless Graham toiled against both batters but the home side looked to be taking control of the game as ‘fours’ and, more often, ‘sixes’ started to flow, not to mention some unfortunate fielding and generous dropped catches by the visitors being the order of the day.

Jefferis needed something to change, so he brought on Alex Ross who bowled tidily and forced Pyle Snr to err, snicking off to Pres Elect Ed Phillips for 58. The skipper then brought himself on at the other end and struck gold with a well thought out half-track long-hop which Harding mistimed to Crouch at long on, Shobrooke now slightly less well placed at 149 for 4.

Damage done, Jefferis retired from the battle field after one over and brought back Jordan who finally found reward, whilst Ross continued his fine spell (2 for 12 from 7) to keep the pressure on. Ajit Shah came on to further tempt the home batters and picked up 1 for 14, and despite a spirited knock from Jonty Brett (13 not out) towards the end of the innings, SOA came out deserved victors by 28 runs.

A particular highlight to the day (and indeed to the tour in general) was the appearance of supporters, this time out Howard and Eli Wood, Ian and Sandy Ramsay and Russ and Sue Hayes. Both sides shared a beer or two sat outside in the late evening sunshine and tucked into that BBQ before heading back to Sidmouth for the overnight stay.