Played 11  Won 5  Lost 4  Drawn 1  Abandoned 1

Quotes

1. “These aren’t the ones I thought they were.”
2. “I’m usually organised.”
3. “We’ve lost the moor. Rain on the way!”
4. “First game of cricket for a while I’ve seen a long-stop.”
5. “He’s very slow!”
6. “Thanks Mate!”

Tour Report

It had been distinctly wet when we arrived at Blundells and found a place to park among the building work. However, a full Sou’wester side under the captaincy of Sam George gathered and a start was made a little late. The pitch looked tricky, as the O.B.s batted. However, this was deceptive. Guy Bucknell was one of three batters to make fifty (we only got four to the crease). Robbie Prior produced an economical but unpenetrative spell on his comeback. We didn’t catch a lot and only Sam Sprague and Jon Kennedy took wickets. We used eight bowlers in relatively short spells and the declaration came after fifty overs. For once our batters rose to the challenge. Andy Bolan and Harry Kennedy gave us a start and Mike Hall played a little cameo, including a six. The Stephens brothers failed and it was left to the inevitable Simon Hogg and Kennedy J to take us to the brink with a stand of 68. Jon succumbed to the pressure with seven needed as we entered the last over. Hogg is immune to pressure and he cracked the first two balls to the boundary to complete a welcome win by three wickets. We adjourned to the club-house for the usual delightful supper. What a splendid game this is!

The Heathcoat pitch was quick and a bit fiery. We were reinforced by yet another Stevens – same sound, slightly different spelling. JJ took an early wicket, but there was plenty of impressive stroke-play. Almost every batter got a start, the most effective being Justin Williams, who eventually fell to Robbie Prior. Andy Bolan was not too comfortable behind the stumps. Kennedy H slotted a c-and-b. The skipper in the white coat spotted a one-short. There was compensation in the form of an all-run five. At 136-5 we seemed in control, but the arrival of the pro at number eight changed the game. He made 84 in 45 minutes, and the declaration came at a challenging 262. The Sou’wester reply was not glorious. Several batters got starts, but only Jamie Stephens and Prior carried on much further. Eight bowlers were used in thirty-two overs. We mustered a modest 146 and were in the bar early.

Sidmouth was heavily involved in preparations for the Folk Festival, but play began only a little late. We had won the toss. Kennedy H soon nicked one, but Bolan was in crisp form. When he was bowled, Kennedy J and Williams J, back on our side, put on 114. Brad Barnes, guesting from Heathcoat, completed a superb hundred, supported by Hall and Kennedy S, and the declaration came after 53 overs at 336. Wickets in the first two overs got us off to a splendid start. The pro picked up the pieces. Kennedy J and Barnes then destroyed the middle order. Prior retired hurt and the nine bowlers used wrapped things up in 56 overs rather more than a hundred short in something of a reversal of recent history.

The less said about the Budleigh Salterton fixture the better. Lots of Sou’westers turned up on a bright and sunny day. The home side was lightly represented. There had been problems with internal administration. There was no game.

The Old Tauntonians had mended relationships with the school, and we returned to a field covered in seagulls, bright sun and a toss won. Thomas H fell early to a very loud LBW appeal, but Guy Bucknell was plainly in form and he put on a hundred with Will Payne. Harry Eaton carried on the good work, with a little help from JJ and Jamie Curtis. The fielding was a bit laboured and the declaration came at 289 in fifty five overs. For the second successive innings nine bowlers had been used. We made a goodish start. The skipper, on white coat duty, was felled by a batsman. Sam Sprague took wickets and we seemed on top at 135-5. We had two leg-spinners bowling in tandem, which hasn’t been a regular part of a Sou’wester attack for some time. That was the last time we were in the game. Two hard-hitting batters took things away from us and we lost with almost four overs to spare.

A day at Chumleigh always reminds me of England Their England and that marvellous cricket match – a simple ground with one or two very useful rules, pens for sheep sales in the next field, a well-hidden spot and a team which plays old-fashioned cricket with no restrictions and a draw in the mix. It was much the same in 2015. It was an overcast day, and we found ourselves batting on a slow pitch. Kennedy father and son opened and put on 22 before Harry was strangled. Charlie Thomas, Everett and Kennedy S failed to score and Angus Spratling was only marginally better. At 50-6 things looked dodgy, but Kennedy J was still there, and he found a willing partner in Andy Pring. Josh Thomas played a little cameo, but our inexperienced tail, Thomas P, Oliver M and Spray P contributed little to a final tally of 134. Kennedy J carried his bat for 75. Kennedy S took an early wicket, but then the batters made steady progress. Pring was into his nineteenth over and his fourth wicket when we lost. No-one else shaped. Kennedy J caught a diving catch by way of a belly flop. There were signs of the old form from Thomas P, but they were only signs. We lost by four wickets and couldn’t find much to remember fondly about the cricket. The ground and the hospitality still linger in the memory.

If you need an alternative venue for England Their England, Bridgetown will do. The sun was shining and there was a bit of wind. The game started on time, and mayhem ruled. Williams J and Charlie Everett put on a very brisk two hundred. Williams retired on 107 and Everett ran himself out. Redmayne C notched a quick fifty before he followed the trend and retired. Then a brace of bowlers broke the pattern. The river took a pounding. We were in good order for the usual sumptuous tea. Then the Bridgetown batters seemed a little demoralised. There were two excellent catches diving forward, and the Spragues, father and son, took charge. Sam took four wickets, Peter three, and we bowled them out in twenty-three overs for a massive win. Among the usual crowd of spectators were the Hawley family, hot-foot from Scotland, with promises of a comeback soon.

It was quite a windy day at Instow, but Lundy was visible, and it was again a pleasure to be at one of the loveliest grounds in the world. We won the toss and batted. Will Payne shouldered arms and was bowled, but Kennedy H and Redmayne C took charge and put on a hundred. Charlie succumbed for 79, and first Williams J and then Spratling continued to support Kennedy. We declared at 234-3 in the forty-first over. The North Devon innings centred round the pro, the Sou’wester bowling around Williams J. We took wickets (a Kennedy catch-fest) and runs came slowly, including that rare thing a five byes. We bowled forty overs and they reached 208-6. It was an honourable draw, and we adjourned to a team dinner at Stumbles.

And so to Kilve, a ground down a long lane, close to the Bristol Channel, with a maize field to welcome the ball, generous hospitality and a very good game. We found ourselves in the field against some very solid batting. Only Simon Hogg made much impact with the ball. All six wickets fell to fielders, five catches and a run-out. The declaration came at 259, giving us plenty of time. Bucknell and Everett gave us a good start, but then four wickets fell in short time. Spratling joined Bucknell and steered him to his hundred. There was another collapse and it was left to Hogg and Kennedy S to steer us home with one wicket and thirteen balls in hand. It was a tense finish to a super contest.

There was ominous cloud over Seaton, as we went out to field against a rather older side than usual, with as usual Peter Anderson very much in evidence. The start was brisk. Our seven bowlers did not really shine in what was for once a declaration game. Nick Beedel seemed to have found a rich vein of form, and he creamed a hundred before retiring. Pring opened up with a wide worth three and next ball induced a catch to Kennedy J. Then everybody got runs. Joel Seward, who bats better against us than for us, was LBW in the nineties. Kennedy picked up a brace of rather costly wickets and the declaration came at 267. There was the usual sumptuous tea, and we went out to bat in the gathering gloom. Bucknell’s run fest continued, but there wasn’t a lot of joy at the other end, and we lost three wickets before the heavens finally dumped on us. It rained quite hard, and for those of us who are slow movers the walk to the car park was uncomfortable.

The visit to Kilmington was a red-letter day – while we lurked outside the ground, Stuart Broad was marmalising the Aussies at Trent Bridge. Whoopee! We batted and were soon among the runs. Tom Barford, Steve Gray and Andrew Rathborne got starts and found a catcher. P.J.Clarke reached fifty, and then a mini-collapse was induced by an offer who got both bounce and turn. The Kennedy brothers got us back on track (Sam’s slog-sweep is a joy to behold). Skipper Hogg had a little pre-declaration dabble and the closure came at 217-9 after forty-eight overs. Gray caught a brace at cover in the second over and then Barford caught two in the slips. At 31-6 with Andy Pring four wickets up things looked pretty good. There was a revival, but Richard Godfrey and Kennedy S mopped up and we achieved a handsome win.

The sun shone on the rampant giant as we arrived at Cerne Abbas to find Jamie Ryall among the opposition. He fell quickly to the wiles of Kennedy S, and then Andy Pring took centre stage, bowling with accuracy and penetration. Oliver Downey, another one-time Sou’wester, held things together, while we enjoyed brief and productive spells from Richard Godfrey, Steve Gray, and a father-and-son Sprague combination. Pring came on to mop up the tail. Andrew Rathborne showed what a proper keeper could do, and 170 seemed within reach. Four quick wickets prompted second thoughts. Barford, Godfrey, Rathborne and PJ contributed in all five runs, but Kennedy H and Gray pulled it together, and hopes rose. Kennedy S got in on the act, and 140-6 seemed the stuff of victory, but another collapse left us at 149-9. Over to the senior members, Sprague P and his skipper Kennedy J. It was all a little bit slow-motion, but the score rose steadily to 167, and then Kennedy missed a straight one. We were three runs short in a real thriller. What a great venue and what marvellous hospitality.

So another tour ends. This is, I am afraid, not up to what I see as par for a report. My own feebleness made me rather a self-conscious passenger, and though I was omni-present it all seemed a bit remote. What I spotted was a new management system which worked, though I wish we could be a bit stronger and more middle-aged at Chumleigh – we have been either too veteran or a bit young. Thanks to the management groups and of course to Martin for oversight and to Marion, who took on the bulk of the scoring. I have now shot my bolt and will enjoy future tours through the Yearbook. Memories will linger of those lovely grounds and pubs and of course of the company. It has been a serious privilege to have been allowed along since 1970. Thank you for having me.

Christopher Carruthers

The Quotes Explained

1. Paul Thomas, having explored his kit-bag.
2. Philip Spray, accounting for leaving his kit behind at Chumleigh.
3. The weatherman at Chumleigh.
4. Justin Williams, commenting on Bolan’s wicket-keeping at Heathcoat.
5. An opposition batsman, warning his partner as Jon Kennedy came on to bowl.
6. Youthful number eleven, after a single put him on strike for the last over. The bowler was rapid.

Results

v Old Blundellians		Mon July 27		Won by 3 wickets
	O.B.s	211-2	G.Bucknell 71
	Sou’westers	213-7	H.Kennedy 60, A.Bolan 39, J.P.Kennedy 38, S.Hogg 36*, M.Hall 23
v Heathcoat		Tues July 28		Lost by 116 runs
	Heathcoat	262-8	B.Barnes 84, H.Kennedy 3-66, J.Jones 2-34, James Stephens 2-53
	Sou’westers	146	James Stephens 41, R.Prior 29, S.J.E.George 23
v Sidmouth		Wed July 29		Won by 115 runs
	Sou’westers	336-7	B.Barnes 101*, J.Williams 92, J.P.Kennedy 47, A.Bolan 29, M.Hall 23
	Sidmouth	221	A.Lorenzo 76, J.P.Kennedy 3-43, J.Jones 2-26, B.Barnes 2-32
v Budleigh Salterton		Thurs July30		Cancelled
v Old Tauntonians		Fri July 31		Lost by 5 wickets
	Sou’westers	289-5	H.Eaton 75*, G.Bucknell 71, W.Payne53, J.Curtis 24*
	O.T.s	291-5	M.Kelly 105*, A.Ford 69*, S.Sprague 3-40
v Chumleigh		Sat Aug 1		Lost by 4 wickets
	Sou’westers	134	J.P.Kennedy 78*, A.Pring 25
	Chumleigh	135-6	A.Pring 4-52
v Bridgetown		Sun Aug 2		Won by 223 runs
	Sou’westers	332-5	J.Williams 107*, C.Everett 107, C.Redmayne 52
	Bridgetown	109	S.Sprague 4-24, P.C.D.Sprague 2-23
North Devon		Mon Aug 3		Drawn
	Sou’westers	234-3	H.Kennedy 83*, C.Redmayne 79, J.Williams 28, A.Spratling 26*
	North Devon	208-6	Q.Dreyer 90,  J.Williams 4-46
v Kilve		Tues Aug 4		Won by 1 wicket
	Kilve	259-6	Godfrey 84, T.Buller 78, S.Hogg 3-51
	Sou’westers	263-9	G.Bucknell 118, C.Everett 47, A.Spratling 41
v Seaton		Wed Aug 5		Abandoned
	Seaton	267-4	N.Beedel 102, J.Seward 92, J.P.Kennedy 2-53
	Sou’westers	53-2	G.Bucknell 40*
v Kilmington		Thurs Aug 6		Won by 87 runs
	Sou’westers	217-9	P.J.Clark 50, S.Kennedy 37, T.R.Barford , H.Kennedy 23, S.Hogg 23*
	Kilmington	130	A.Pring 4-37, S.Kennedy 2-4, R.Godfrey 2-15, C.Stone 2-24
v Cerne Valley		Fri Aug 7		Lost by 3 runs
	Cerne Valley	170	O.Downey 88, A.Pring 5-20, S.Gray 2-13
	Sou’westers	167	H.Kennedy 73, S.Gray 43

Batting Averages

 

Batting	Innings	N.O.	Runs	H.S.	Average	Ct/St
G.Bucknell	3	1	229	118	114.50
J.Williams	3	0	224	104	74.67	1
J.P.Kennedy	5	2	179	75*	59.67	4
C.Everett	3	0	154	107	51.33	1
C.Redmayne	3	0	139	79	46.33
A.Spratling	4	2	87	41	43.00
H.Kennedy	8	1	254	83*	33.24	5/1
P.J.Clarke	2	0	55	50	27.50	2
W.Payne	2	0	54	53	27.00	1
S.Gray	2	0	53	43	26.50	2
S.Kennedy	6	3	78	37*	26.00	6
A.Bolan	3	0	72	39	24.00
JamieStephens	3	0	61	41	20.33	4
R.Prior	2	0	33	28	16.50
M.Hall	4	0	56	25	14.00	2
T.R.Barford	3	0	38	26	12.67	2
S.J.E.George	3	1	24	23	12.00	3
A.Pring	3	0	33	25	11.00
C.Thomas	3	0	20	13	6.67
A.Rathborne	2	0	13	13	6.50	2
O.Atkinson	2	0	7	7	3.50
J.Redmayne	2	0	6	5	2.50	2
SamSprague	4	1	7	6*	2.33
R.Godfrey	3	0	0	0	0.00	1

Also batted: B.Barnes 101*; J.Curtis 24*; H.Eaton 78*; S Hogg 36*, 23*, 5* (1ct) T.Hunt 8; J.Jones 16 (1ct); A.H.Lewis 2*;  M.R.Oliver 0; J.Seward 1; P.H.Spray 4; Josh Stephens 2, 1; J.Stevens 46: P.C.D.Sprague 2*; P.Stone 6; H.Thomas 6; J.Thomas 11; S.P.H.Thomas 0 (1ct)

Bowling Averages

 

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average
A.Pring	49.3	14	173	14	12.36
J.Williams	44	1	52	4	13.00
S.Gray	11	3	28	2	14.00
B.Barnes	11	3	32	2	16.00
R.Godfrey	15	5	64	3	21.93
C.Stone	14	1	44	2	22.00
JamieStephens	17	1	53	2	26.50
P.C.D.Sprague	14	0	54	2	27.00
S.Sprague	40	2	218	8	27.25
S.Hogg	17.4	2	85	3	28.33
J.Redmayne	8	1	57	2	28.50
J.P.Kennedy	33.3	3	188	6	31.33
R.Prior	25.3	9	65	2	32.50
H.Kennedy	16	2	102	3	34.00
J.Jones	31	4	137	4	34.25
S.Kennedy	65.3	8	273	7	39.00
A.Spratling	24	4	122	3	40.67

Also bowled: O.Atkinson 18 – 0 – 65 – 0; A.Bolan 1 – 0 – 7 – 1; J.Curtis 14.1 – 1 – 56 – 1; H.Eaton 4 – 1- 25 – 0; S.J.E.George 12.1 – 3 – 64 – 1; M.Hall 1- 0 – 8 – 0;  Josh Stephens 11 – 1 – 54 – 0: P.Stone  4 – 0 – 32 – 0; H.Thomas 10 – 2 – 56 – 1.