Ottery St Mary v Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH travelled to Ottery St Mary with some optimism after two successive wins had given them a lifeline.

A third win or, at the very least, a hatful of points, would have kept alive their hopes of remaining in this league. It was not to be. They were soundly beaten and with Uplyme picking up points in a rain affected game at league winners Lewdown the odds are now against the Wayfarers salvaging the season.

Ottery batted first and Forbes (87), Tennant (56) and Pritchard (51) stamped their authority on the game. Josh Meadows picked up three wickets but that was as good as it got as Ottery raced away to 269-5. The weather tried to do Whitchurch a favour but the rain didn't arrive in sufficient quantity. In reply Whitchurch were quickly in trouble and at 4-4 a very early return was on the cards. Ben Powell (36) and Joel Heatley (36) salvaged some pride but a final total of 156 all out pulled in too few points.

So it is all down to the last game of the season with Whitchurch facing second placed Ashburton and needing a win.

l WHITCHURCH 2nd XI were due to play Babbacombe but the visitors never left home as the game was called off as early as possible with a pitch waterlogged after 24 hours of rain and no prospect of play. Very few games in this division managed even a few overs so Whitchurch remain in second place with a 15 point cushion over their nearest rivals.

After a very successful season promotion for the team looks almost certain.