Friendly

Chagford v Hale Barns (Cheshire)

CHAGFORD have specialised in close finishes this season and again it was left to the last ball as, with three needed for victory, Ken Noss hit a two to level the scores with 5 wickets remaining.

Earlier, the tourists found runs hard to come by against the Chagford opening attack of 15-year-old Stuart Potter and veteran Mike Wreford.

Stuart, although only taking 1 wicket for 26 in his 12 overs in his two 6-over spells, probably produced his best bowling performance for Chagford.

Hale Barns had lost Saddington (16), skipper Aspen (7) and Shaw (10) quickly, but double figure scores from Alves (14) and Strong (18 no) pulled the side together.

But it was an explosive 38 not out in only 18 balls by long serving Arthur Johnson that enabled Hale Barns to declare at tea with 150-8.

Wreford finished with 2 for 17 in his 14 overs.

Chagford lost Steele quickly, but Cudmore (22), Hughes (14) in stands with Steve Hulse, gradually quickened the tempo.

A fifth wicket stand of 54 between Andy Potter and Hurst put Chagford into a good position and it was all down to the last over and a draw with the scores even was a just result.

Promoted to No 3 Hulse made 72 not out in his best score for the club. Alves 2-17 and Goran 2-51 were the pick of the visiting attack.

Friendly

Chagford v Wadhurst (Sussex)

IN a game between two strong batting sides on a perfect wicket, the side batting second were always likely winners.

Chagford's innings, after the loss of two early wickets, was dominated by a stand of 127 between Richard Sampson and Pete Turner.

Sampson finally went for 38 with Turner remaining unbeaten for 107 in the innings which demonstrated his ability to play shots all round the wicket.

A heavy shower hastened the tea interval and caused the Chagford skipper to declare at what subsequently was an inadequate score of 182 for 3.

Graham Everdell took 2 for 55 and caught the other batsman.

Wadhurst made a poor start losing Younger with only 7 runs on the board, but Chris Doe and Australian Greg Teys soon restored the position with a stand of 101 for the second wicket, before Doe departed for 45.

This brought Mick Smith to the wicket and he was the dominant force in the third wicket stand of 76 which saw the Wadhurst side home with 8 wickets in hand.

Smith finished 42 not out and Australian Teys on 94 not out in a match where the bat was always on top of the ball.

Turner 1-60 and Wreford 1-22 were the solitary wicket takers for Chagford.

Devon League

Chagford v Buckfastleigh

IN this important league match, Chagford started slowly against some good bowling.

The half-century partnership took 19 overs. At 51 Steele departed for 20, and d'Arch-Smith (6) and Jenkins (5) fell quickly. Del Owen went on to make 50 and with Nolan the only other contributor with 27 not out Chagford managed 165 for 8 in their 46 overs. Doidge 2-36, Tapper 1-28, Robinson 3-43 all completed their 13 overs and bowled well for Buckfastleigh.

The Buckfastleigh reply got off to a stuttering start with 3 wickets falling for 18, and wickets continued to fall. However, a stand at 36 between Ansley (22) and Tapper (33) posed problems for Chagford.

Tapper was bowled by Stuart Potter for an excellent 33 to give Chagford victory by 49 runs.

Paceman Tony Hutchings was the star of the show with 5 for 33 (four clean bowls) with support from evergreen Jon Jenkins 3-27.