WHITCHURCH second XI remain firmly lodged at the foot of the table having been well beaten by Dartington.
With Dartington scoring only 37 runs coming off the first 10 overs the youthful Whitchurch team were pleased with the start they had made. Bowling accurately in the opening spell Doyle (0 for 52) and Vernon (0-31) caused both openers some problems. However, the batsmen's patience paid off as the pitch started to dry out and their choice of shots expanded. Sugden (113) and Carter (56) punished anything wayward and gave few chances as they put Dartington into the driving seat at the half-way stage with 126 for 0.
With wickets in hand and a fast outfield the Whitchurch side knew what was heading their way. Both Bone (0-58) and particularly Alford (1-39) were on the receiving end. Young Ben Hodge came on towards the end of the innings and picked up two useful wickets.
In reply Whitchurch lost openers Alford and Towl after they had endeavoured to repeat the Dartington approach of patiently building up an innings. It didn't quite work as wickets started to fall regularly. At half way a score of 47-2 meant any hope of a win was remote.
Two key partnerships of Poole (14) and Powell (36) and then Powell and Derbyshire (22) kept Dartington at bay for quite a while.
The tentative prospect of a draw loomed but their demise was followed by a rapid collapse.