Devon second XI D (W)

Plymouth fourths v Whitchurch seconds

WHITCHURCH Seconds travelled to Torpoint to play Plymouth fourths, once again with only 10 players and more in hope than any expectation.

Whitchurch lost the toss and were invited to bat. Powell and Crosbie responded to the skipper's plea and made a solid start adding 50 for the first wicket. Crosbie, having frustrated the bowlers with some unorthodox batting, was finally bowled for 15.

Bone soon followed but Derbyshire added 40 with Powell for the third wicket. At 94 for 2 Whitchurch exceeded all expectations, but the wickets soon clattered.

Powell holed out two short of a well deserved half century and none of the rest reached double figures. Rothwell (4-26) and Hughes (3-12) wrapping up the tail with little fuss. 28 extras helped Whitchurch post 113 all out.

Plymouth set out needing a little over two an over to record another victory but were soon in trouble.

Poole bowled Rothwell in the first over and then the dangerous Barnes in his second over. Dunne took a solid catch off Tamblin to remove Stewart and Plymouth were at 15-3 off four overs.

Whitchurch's makeshift opening bowling attack continued to make breakthroughs aided by some inspired fielding, although a few chances did go begging.

At 49-6, the game was arguably Whitchurch's to lose. Bone then Wignell caught again by Dunne and Plymouth did not know what had hit them. Tamblin served up a full toss, which top scoring Cummings skied for Dunne to take his third catch. Tamblin then completing his 'five for' with an lbw. Poole returned to the fray to clean up the remains of the Plymouth line up and return his best figures of 4-33.

This was Whitchurch's first win of the season and achieved against the odds with a young and inexperienced team.