Devon D division

Whitchurch v

Halberton

ONCE again Whitchurch were on the wrong end of a draw although there are signs of steady improvement with a victory being on the cards soon.

In this game Halberton batted first and, but for a lamentable number of wides, would have been held to an attainable score of under 250.

Rushton and Sambells opened the bowling posing a threat which held Halberton in check. Rushton got Coles (8) and Sambells was unlucky not to gain any return for his bowling. First change bowler Webb pegged back Halberton with two useful wickets. With the score at 148 for 5 Whitchurch would have hoped to keep the visitors to under 250. That was not to be the case as first Barker (61 not out) and then Turner (63 not out) blasted Halberton to 283. Turner was particularly brutal to Josh Meadows denting his bowling figures with five sixes.

The target to win was not beyond Whitchurch and they set about it at a good pace.  Four batsmen came and went for under 10 runs but Churchill moved along at a good pace so that the score reached 89 when Phil Mansfield joined him. These two put together a partnership of 111 runs before Mansfield went for a sterling effort of 42. If one other batsman had been able to keep Churchill company as he moved on to 132 the game may have gone to Whitchurch.

His second ton in as many weeks together with a midweek Evening League 50 show that Aaron is in fine form. As it was Whitchurch were able to gain a creditable number of points and are clearly improving as the season progresses.

Second XI E (W)

Whitchurch seconds v Cornwood fourths

Whitchurch Seconds made the short trip across the moor to face Cornwood fourths.

Cornwood were unlucky to be struggling to field four teams and ran into a Whitchurch side fielding one of their strongest sides for many a year. Despite the good, flat track, Tamblin had no hesitation in asking the young Cornwood side to bat. The bowlers soon backed up that decision. Bray struck first aided by a sharp catch behind by Ford. Ford then snaffled another, this time off Trembath.

At 41 for 3, Cornwood were up against it but a few lusty blows from De Mendonca (22) helped his side pass the 50 mark, until Vernon knocked back his middle stump.  Heatley ran through the tail, leaving Cornwood all out for 71 in 24 overs. All of Whitchurch's bowlers maintained a good line and length and were well supported by their fielders.

In reply, Daymond and Elliott wasted little time in closing the game out. Daymond hit two sixes and three fours on his way to 35 not out, while Elliott was more correct closing on 25 not out. The winning runs sealed in the 11 over with no loss of wickets.

Whitchurch took 20 points from this game to remain top of the table.

* Whitchurch fixtures: On Saturday the firsts visit Uplyme while the seconds host Bridestowe. On Sunday Ivybridge visit for a friendly while the ladies travel to Axminster. U11s, U13s and U15s are all away during the week. Tamar firsts are away to Lifton and the seconds home to Oke MPL on Tuesday.