Devon seconds West
Whitchurch seconds v
Babbacombe seconds
THESE two teams were propping up the division at the start or play. Despite this, Babbacombe won the toss and asked the home side to bat on what looked a typical Whitchurch excellent batting surface.
That decision looked vindicated as Oscroft ripped through the top order with a spell of four for four. Add in the run out of Churchill and Whitchurch were staring down the barrel at 21-5, Meadows the lone fighter on 20no.
Then the tide turned.
Bray and Meadows launched a blistering counter attack with boundaries disappearing to all parts of the ground. The paid added 143 in 16 overs, with Bray blasting his way to a maiden league half century, before being bowled for 57.
Meadows continued the onslaught, deservingly completing his maiden league 100, although he perished the next ball.
At drinks after 23 overs, Whitchurch were in the unbelievable position of 169 for 7, with Babbacombe looking like a beaten team. With the field set back, Daymond and Murphy joined the party.
In an unbroken partnership of 139, both also completed maiden league 50's, Murphy ending on 76no, whilst Daymond was 58no.
Skipper Kerswell declared the innings on 308 for 7 with 10 overs of the innings remaining.
In reply Babbacombe started with a charge. Stubbs hit 24 before being bowled in the third over. Ibbetson (50) and Tanton (40) built a partnership, but the run rate slowed, as it became apparent that the visitors were only interested in batting 56 overs for a losing draw.
Skipper Kerswell made the breakthrough; his guile and drift leading to a haul of 4 for 42 from a marathon 16 over spell. This included several good catches including a superb one at slip by Tamblin.
As the overs ran out, the re-introduction of Trembath turned a draw into a Whitchurch victory.
First he bowled Mudge for a belligerent 42 and then cleaned up the tail, to give Whitchurch their first win of the season and a hard earned, but deserved 20 points.