Yelverton Bohemians

YELVERTON first XI entered a new season with a strong squad and high determination to challenge for promotion yet again.

They faced a tricky opening against a good Ipplepen team bolstered by their New Zealand professional.

It looked like a good toss to win when Ipplepen skipper, Keith Wakeham, asked Yelverton to bat.

Ipplepen opened up with their new recruit, J Watkins, but gained an early breakthrough from a leg side delivery from P Thomas at the other end. That was to be their only real success though - from that moment the Bohemian batsmen applied themselves superbly to the conditions and bowlers.

Yelverton newcomer Colin Broughton, set the tone with his pulling and driving. Tim Berry followed suit and chose his moments to drive and cut.

With the rain playing a part to reduce the overs, the Bohemians hit 208-4 off 35 overs - a superb effort for the first game of the season. Tim Berry reached a classy 35. The other debutant Ricky McDowell batted confidently to make 34 and and raun well with Broughton, who ended his debut with a superb 80. He was nearly, but not quite, upstaged by young all-rounder Robbie Bennett, who hit a dominant 52 in 7 overs.

After tea, the Yelverton young opening bowlers, Robbie Bennett and Iain Cunningham, put on a fine show of swing and seam bowling. The Ipplepen line up, to their credit, remained positive with opener L Tuckett showing good composure and solid drives. With good bowling and sharp fielding left Ipplepen at 98 for 5 off 23, when the rain descended for the final time.

Rob Guy took a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss Tuckett. At long off Iain Cunningham took a quality catch on the run of a high drive to dismiss Watkins. This was a big wicket for 18 year old left arm swing bowler Matt Tamsett, who maintained composure and good lines to bowl at the pro, who was threatening to launch a fightback with a solid 25.

This was a great start for this upbeat Yelverton team, with high levels of application and skill.