Yelverton Bohemians 1st XI

THE upbeat Bohemians made the journey to Hatherleigh, looking to maintain their push for the title.

Yelverton were asked to bat, which suited their strong line up, and although Hatherleigh bowled well, it was their fielding that dominated the first half.

The hosts have many young and fit players and they squeezed the Bohemians' early order, often turning well struck boundary shots into dots. Although the Bohemians were never frustrated, they were unable to dominate and two run-outs from direct hits meant the innings faltered.

Rob Bennett (45) looked the most likely to pressurise the bowlers, but after a couple of 4s and 6s was bowled. Yelverton's destroyer, James Harrison, was pegged back but skipper Jez Stokes' 21no off 19 balls took the total to 156, below par even on a tricky track.

The Bohemians took to the field with only one intention — to put Hatherleigh under continuous pressure by bowling full and straight and trying to match the Hatherleigh fielding.

It was an awesome performance from the team to not only defend a low score but to have fought to a winning position. There were times when the game ebbed and flowed. A wicket in the second over started the pressure, but it wasn't until the 16th that the second wicket fell.

Young Tidball batted classily for 44 and Tim Berry took a superb leaping catch at point.

At 70 for 3 the game was in the balance but then came the turning point. The wily Geoff Brain bowled with supreme craft, finishing with 11-3-16-3. He was backed by the ever-dominating youngster Rob Bennett, having a tremendous game, with 8-1-16-2.

At 119 for 6, though, with skipper Tidball and M Lake looking composed, the local supporters perked up a bit sensing a home victory.

The pressure mounted on both sides but it was Jez Stokes' 8-0-20-2 in the final stretch that turned the game the visitors' way. He took the ninth wicket in the penultimate over but that was to be the final drama, with Hatherleigh ending on 146-9.

This was a terrific game, played in a great spirit. The Bohemians had overcome a tricky fixture and now look forward to hosting Ottery St Mary in their bid to reach the top slot.

Yelverton Second XI

v Ivybridge 2nd XI

YELVERTON entertained newly promoted Ivybridge at Langton Park on Saturday. Ivybridge finished as runners-up to the Bohemians last season and a close contest was in prospect.

Yelverton openers Tom Watkins and Chris Cottrell started well, with Watkins being the more dominant partner in a partnership of 40 for the first wicket. Watkins fell for 25 caught at the wicket and Cottrell was joined by Ricky McDowell, promoted after scoring 40 the previous week for the club's 3rd XI.  

McDowell fell early for 3, also caught behind with the score on 55. 

Gerry Keen joined Cottrell at the wicket and the pair put on a partnership of 73 to take the score to 128 before Cottrell was bowled by Lancaster for 43. 

Rich West was the next man in and was immediately into his stride, dispatching the Ivybridge bowling to all parts, both inside the ground and into the adjacent fields. 

The fourth wicket partnership had reached 48 when Keen was adjudged lbw for 37. West was joined by skipper Dave Scott and the pair took the score past the 200 before West was dismissed one short of his 50 with the score on 211. 

Youngster Matt Tamsett came and went for a single before veteran Jerry Warland and Scott took the score to 231 before Scott elected to declare two overs early. 48 extras contributed to the Yelverton total.

Tea was taken, and Yelverton came out with purpose and reduced Ivybridge to 20–3 with all wickets going to Adrian Hood (11-2-48-3). All Hood's wickets fell to catches, by McDowell, Scott and the most spectacular a one-handed diving effort by Keen at second slip.

Ivybridge sought to consolidate the innings and frustrate the Yelverton bowlers with some obstinate batting. 

Tamsett made the next breakthrough with the score on 48, bringing a ball back to bowl Ivybridge skipper D Solomon 'through-the-gate' and when Zimmerman was run out by a direct hit from cover Ivybridge were reduced to 60-5 with more than half the overs left to bowl. 

Ivybridge sixth wicket pair, Kiwi, G Danks and H Solomon were forced to consolidate and had gone some way to achieving this before Solomon had to retire hurt after he was struck on the wrist by a fierce drive from Danks. 

Yelverton's 'spin-twins' Warland and Cottrell produced some loose strokes from the Ivybridge batsmen with some subtly 'flighted' deliveries, but vice-captain Chris Pearson (8-1-31-3) broke the deadlock, dismissing 3 of the Ivybridge batsmen in quick succession. 

The last over arrived with Ivybridge on 170 – 8 and looking for a fourth batting point, but a wicket from Rich West left Yelverton two deliveries at the Ivybridge No11 which were safely negotiated to give Yelverton a winning draw.

Yelverton's man of the match: Rich West.

• This week Yelverton Seconds make the long trip to Westward Ho! to take on Bideford.