Yelverton v Uplyme

YELVERTON Bohemians thundered to a 153 run victory in the scorching Dorset heat. Batting first for the fourth time in as many weeks, the Bohemians' rampant top five dominated from the first ball, punishing anything loose and running well to maintain extra pressure.

Ian Loze was as classical as ever, with another smooth 35. Colin Broughton came to the crease at 70-1 and hit a crushing 33 off 10 balls (six fours, one six) to add impetus to the innings. With Broughton smashing every ball, the Uplyme team stood on the edge of a precipice, but a slice of luck had him caught at deep square, going for a 6th successive boundary. Berry continued to score at will at the other end, attacking th­rough powerful lofted drives. Geoff Brain cut with sublime skill and power to race to 33 and the young destroyer, Robbie Bennett, reached his self-set target of 50 from the last 5 overs. He achieved this crushing feat off the last ball of the innings to bring up his 50 and the 300 for the team for the loss of just 4 wickets. Tim Berry was hitting out until the very end, so nearly carrying his bat in the punishing heat, but falling in the last over having reached a top class 116.

Robbie Bennett and Iain Cunningham opened up with venom and it was Bennett (5-0-25-2) who took two early wickets to leave the hosts reeling. There was good mid order resistance from Brimmcombe (34) and Daniel (29) but no one could cope with the wizardry of the Yelverton leg-spinner Ben Vince who bowled his full complement beautifully, taking the final wicket, to end with 12.2-4-30-5, to earn himself the match ball. Vince has worked hard for 2 years, is now reaping the rewards and will be a key weapon this season in the race for the title. Broughton bowled with high pace and movement which bodes well for the rest of the year.

This was a searing performance from a Yelverton squad with a huge depth of talent and great confidence. Uplyme held their spirits on what was a punishing day for them and the match was played in a friendly spirit, backed by solid umpiring.