Devon Seconds E West

Babbacombe seconds v Whitchurch seconds

WHITCHURCH lost the toss and were invited to bat first on a challenging surface. They made the worst possible start losing Vernon to the first ball. Daymond soon followed and at 5-2 things were looking ominous.

Freedman (16) and Barriball (12) batted well through a difficult period as the variable bounce made runs hard to come by.

At the halfway stage Whitchurch were 50-4 and were soon to be 64-7. Stapleton (4-37) and Johnson (2-26) the principal bowlers.

However at that point Whitchurch struck back. Father and son combination, Bob and Ben Powell helped Whitchurch to their first batting point, adding 64 in all for the eighth wicket. Bob was the bowled for 27, while Ben went on to finish undefeated on 42. Whitchurch closed on a competitive 147-8.

In reply, Babbacombe also found runs hard to score, but didn't lose any wickets early doors.

Price was solid, while Bullen came in and tried to win the game in quick time. Bullen then had to retire hurt and the game swung back in to the balance.

Babbacombe passed a 100 with eight wickets intact and 14 overs to go, but tight bowling and fielding restricted the runs. Tamblin (2-41) and Kerswill (2-28) were aided by a run out from Barriball, as the run rate steadily increased.

Thirty runs needed off seven overs became 21 off two. Tamblin and Kerswill bowling tidily at the death to earn a winning draw for their side.

Whitchurch 11pts drew with Babbacombe 8pts.