Francis Clark Devon League, D Division West
Hatherleigh v Whitchurch
HAVING successfully predicted the toss all season, skipper Chappell lost the toss and Whitchurch were put in to bat.
The pitch was damp, with the wicket looking like a bowler?s paradise. Whitchurch got off to a pedestrian start against tight bowling and variable bounce from the wickets.
At the halfway stage, the score was only 60 for 1, but with wickets in hand the scoring soon accelerated, thanks predominantly to 16-year-old prodigy, Ian Gray, who smashed his first league hundred, finally being bowled for an immaculate 121.
He was ably supported by Credicott (21) and Stokes (27 not out).
Whitchurch finished up on 224 for 5 from their 46 overs. The only bowling of note was the ever reliable Tidball who conceded 42 runs from his 13 overs and was unlucky not to take any wickets.
In reply, Hatherleigh made a steady start. The game swung Hatherleigh?s way when Cherrington (60) and Rogers (4) shared a 110 run stand for the third wicket. But with Lavis (3 for 48) being reintroduced to the attack, the result was taken out of Hatherleigh?s hands as he ripped through the lower order.
Lavis was well supported by the ever improving Horler (3 for 37) and MacDougall who made his comeback after injuries. With MacDougall back, it bodes well for the rest of the season as he brings genuine pace to the attack.
Hatherleigh hung on in the final few overs to claim a draw and ended on 213 for 9. Whitchurch earned 15 points and Hatherleigh 9 points. This Saturday, Whitchurch entertain fast improving Keyham and Buckfastleigh.