THIS local derby brought about another close and exciting game of cricket.

With temperatures high the toss of the coin would prove vital. Home skipper Darren Chappell won it and elected to bat first.

Lewdown?s opening bowlers performed well, keeping the Wayfarers? runs to a minimum. Richard Hall batted patiently early on. But when the heat took its toll, he took full advantage of some stray bowling. Hall scored 72 before being caught by Jones at point.

At this point Chappell had already announced himself by hitting 12 off his first three balls.

Young county player Ian Gray, who has made his step up to the first, was a joy to watch, showing he can play the ball to any part of the ground.

Skipper Chappell carried on blasting away to record 76 not out. The Wayfarers totalled 242-5.

In reply Lewdown lost a couple of early wickets. This brought Brendon Worth and Charles Hughes together.

Worth 49 and Hughes 48 looked like seeing Lewdown home, but John Jackson (4-28) had other ideas, taking wickets at vital stages, and committed fielding from Whitchurch enabled them to pick up a vital 20 points in their push for promotion.

This leaves them 10 points behind ladder leaders Exeter Civil.

This week away to Yealmpton.