Devon B seconds XI

Yelverton seconds v Bideford seconds

YELVERTON Seconds did the 'double' over Bideford Seconds with a comfortable seven wicket victory over their North Devon rivals.

After heavy rain the prospects of play at Langton Park did not look good.  Following 'mopping-up' operations play started at 3pm in a reduced game of 41 overs a-side.

Bideford batted first with Yelverton's opening bowlers Tony Carter and Rob Bennett immediately hit their line and length and with the score on four, Bennett bowled one of the Bideford openers.  The Bideford number three came and went for seven, bowled by Bennett's slower ball.  The evergreen Carter (9-3-16-0) frequently beating the bat but having no luck although in the season's earlier encounter between the two sides Carter had taken eight wickets. 

The Bideford third wicket pair of Bradbeer and Withecombe put on a partnership of 73 before Pearson bowled Bradbeer for 33 with the score on 87.  Pearson then caught and bowled Kerr without scoring and also removed Withecombe for 35, caught in the covers.  With the Bideford score now on 91-5 Bennett and Pearson kept the pressure on.  Bennett finished with figures of 10-2-31-5 and Pearson completed his spell of 12-1-38-3.  Despite some lusty blows down the order, Bideford finished up on 149-8 off their 41 overs.

In reply the Yelverton opening pair of Jason Degg and Nick Auger took the attack to the Bideford bowlers, with both Degg and Auger timing the ball well in an opening partnership of 49 for the first wicket.  Auger depositing Willcocks for two huge sixes over long-on but Willcocks did pin back Auger's leg stump when he had scored 23.  Degg was joined in the middle by Rob Bennett and the pair put on 18 before Degg was deceived by a slower delivery from Willcocks and dollied a catch to point. 

Veteran Gerry Keen joined Bennett and the third wicket pair put on 49 with Bennett in particular punishing any loose deliveries.  Bennett was caught in the deep for 39 with the score on 116, and it was left for Keen (29 not out) and Rich West (12 not out) to take Yelverton home on 150–3 off 27overs.

With other teams games falling victim to the weather and Yelverton picking up 19 points from a possible 20, this moved the Bohemians up into third place in the league. 

• Next week Yelverton entertain mid-table Chudleigh at Langton Park, 1.30pm start.