Devon D division
Uplyme v
Yelverton Bohemians first
THE Bohemians worked hard throughout a hot and humid day to pull off a superb win against Uplyme, largely due to the supreme knock of Rich West.
Skipper Jez Stokes invited Uplyme to bat on a grassy track that offered to provide variable bounce.
This looked a good decision as the home team struggled at 10 for 2, following a sharp opening spell from the young all-rounder Rob Bennett.
The wily Geoff Brain kept tight control at the other end but B Whittington with an aggressive 48 began to apply some real pressure in the heat. Then came the Caddy brothers who both batted well, riding their luck at times, to push the total to a challenging 210, with skipper Ash Caddy making 65no.
The Bohemians stuck to their task well in some punishing heat and fielded well on a difficult outfield. Rob Bennett finished with 12-2-33-2 and was unlucky not to claim more victims. The other bowlers persevered well but without luck.
In reply Yelverton's Tim Berry batted with class in the early overs, driving imperiously.
Rob Bennett began to dominate but when he was out on 31 smashing a full toss to mid on, the Bohemians looked to be behind the pace and the pressure was building.
Then came the performance of the day. Rich West batted with patience, intelligence and immense power to eat into the run rate and then take the five per over needed to guide the team home. He was helped by the new talent to the side, Nick Auger, who had kept well earlier in the day.
He batted with enormous power for a superb 41 and with West took the Bohemians close to victory.
The pressure mounted as late wickets fell with the target approaching, but West was able to demolish the bad balls. He finished on a majestic 65no, ending the match with a smashed four in the 42nd over.
This was a excellent result for the Bohemians who keep the pressure on the top three in their pursuit of a third successive promotion.
l Yelverton firsts face fellow promotion rivals Lewdown in a big derby next weekend.
Second XI Devon B
Yelverton seconds v Brixham seconds
ON a glorious summers afternoon, the Brixham skipper won the toss and asked Yelverton to bat first. Brixham's ace proved to be quick bowler J Hyde, who has been finding some form for Brixham seconds.
Hyde's pace and bounce proved too hot to handle for the Yelverton early order as they lost Pete Garland for a duck, caught at cover and Ricky McDowell (1) and veteran Gerry Keen (0) both bowled by Hyde to leave the score on a parlous 17-3.
Jason Degg and Andy Taylor looked to repair the early damage but Hyde also accounted for Degg for 11 with a catch off his own bowling.
Skipper Dave Scott along with Taylor put on 24 for the fifth wicket but Taylor fell for 16, run out by a direct hit to leave the score on 59-5. Scott was joined by Richard Porritt, and after seeing off Hyde, the pair put on a partnership of 66 for the sixth wicket with Porritt launching two huge sixes out of the ground.
Scott fell to the bowling of M Barron, caught at the wicket for 31. Soon after, Hyde removed Porritt for a breezy 40 to leave the total on 129-7.
Jerry Warland (10) and Chris Pearson (25) gave the total some respectability with a partnership of 35, but the dismissal of Warland caught in the deep was soon followed by Pearson, lbw, both off the bowling of Barron. Yelverton closed with 170 all-out off 42 overs.
The Brixham openers Matthewman and Clark were in no hurry and took their time to get accustomed to the pace and bounce of the wicket.
Two chances that may have changed the outcome, went begging off veteran bowler Tony Carter as a second slip catch was shelled by ATaylor and a half-chance just failed to stick in the keepers gloves whilst standing-up.
Skipper Dave Scott rang the changes with his bowlers trying to find a breakthrough but the Brixham pair stood firm and took Brixham all the way home with an opening partnership of 173 off 45.1 overs and a ten wicket win.
l This week Yelverton travel to high flying Tavistock seconds for a local derby at the Ring.