Bradninch 2nd XI v Whitchurch Wayfarers 2nd XI ON Saturday Whitchurch made the journey to league leaders, Bradninch, hoping to maintain their recent impressive form. With four regular players missing, and three players making their season?s debut, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Whitchurch. After winning the toss again, the Whitchurch captain had no hesitation in putting Bradninch in to bat. The opening bowling partnership of Daymond and Churchill yet again rose to the challenge of bowling to probably the best batting line-up in the league. After clean bowling the normally high scoring Acton in his first over, Churchill made light work of the Bradninch top order, taking 3 for 14 in his first spell. When the prolific Davey was superbly caught by the energetic Alford for a duck, the Whitchurch team went in for the kill. A double bowling change worked well as both new bowlers took a wicket each in their first over. With spin bowler Tamblin (2-28) bowling with a new found confidence and swing bowler Newton (3-38) the Bradninch wickets kept falling. With one wicket left, man of the match Churchill returned to claim the wicket of Wakeley (27), the only Bradninch batsman to reach double figures. Bradninch were bowled out for 103 and Churchill returned season?s best figures of 4-22. In reply, Whitchurch got off to the worst possible start, losing Hodge for a duck in the first over. Sherrell then joined debutant Freedman at the crease. The pair batted superbly together, running between the wickets well and hitting the bad balls to the boundary. When Sherrell was out for a quick-fire 20 and Smith (10) soon followed, the Bradninch tails were up. Last week?s hero, Barriball, then joined Freedman. When Freedman was out for a well constructed 22 and the score on 57 for 4 the game was in the balance. Daymond (7) made a quick return to the clubhouse, and with 25 still needed, the result still could have gone either way. But with a flurry of boundaries and well taken singles, Tamblin and Barriball (36 not out) saw the team home to record a fantastic 5 wicket victory. Whitchurch earned 18 points and Bradninch 3. This Saturday, Bideford are the visitors as Whitchurch look to maintain their promotion charge.
