Francis Clark Second XI D (West)
Whitchurch Wayfarers v Cockington
WHITCHURCH second XI took themselves to the brink of promotion with a good all round team performance against a Cockington side, which had not lost for three months.
For the 13th time this season, skipper Tamblin lost the toss, which meant Whitchurch had to bat first. With three members of the side lost trying to find the ground, Newton and Hodge opened the innings soundly, providing the basis on which a good score could be made.
All batsmen got in on a difficult track, without any one going on to get a half century, Hodge (32), Newton (27), Heatley (22), Woodrow (20) and Elliott (22) the principal scorers.
Whitchurch would have settled for 175, but Sambells (21no) and Tamblin (17no) helped their side gain maximum batting points as Whitchurch closed on 203-7.
In reply, Cockington adopted the thinking that attack was the best form of defence.
A superb spell of bowling by veteran Jackson tore through the heart of the Cockington batting though. Three wickets in two overs, ably supported by Ingram (2-35) had Cockington reeling at 50-5.
As Colegate passed 50, wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Tamblin getting a ball to turn out of the bowler?s footmarks to dismiss Scott on his way to 3-26 and also a catch at short leg by Alford off a full blooded pull.
Whitchurch, however, were able to take the final wicket as Colegate completed a deserved century in the final over.
Whitchurch took 15 points from this draw and with other results going in their favour, only need to turn up next week to be assured of promotion.