WALKHAM Valley took on the Devon Tors for the second time this season. Openers Rich Berry and Simon Ward got off to a steady start, but some tight bowling by Mitch and Peter Gibson reined them in. After the first change, Berry got stuck in and clattered four fours before being bowled by Shaw for 21. Tim Baxter was very quickly run out for a duck, bringing skipper Sandy Ralph to the crease. He started with a boundary, but then the run rate dried up again as Jack Yeo and Russell Chapman put the squeeze on, Yeo bowling Ward for 7. J Berry had a brief but adventurous time, scoring 12 including a six before capitulating to a catch at the wicket off Doidge. Roger Smith accompanied his skipper, but runs were still not that easy to come by and he also went caught off Doidge for 9. Ray Spreadbury scurried a few singles before falling to a catch off Jack Yeo, but still the run rate was miserly. James Vincent hit a six from his first delivery but was caught for 9 off Doidge. Ralph put on a spurt and hit three boundaries including a six before losing his wicket to a an excellent catch on the boundary for 29. Kevin Baxter did not trouble the scorers, so it fell to Graham Vincent and Ken Kay to see the innings to a close at 122 for 9, with Vincent on 5 and Kay 3 not out. Best of the bowlers were Doidge with 3 for 8, Jack Yeo 1 for 4, Mitch 1 for 16 and Shaw 2 for 20. With a modest total to chase, Jack Yeo and Chris Spreadbury got the Devon Tors off to a bright start before losing Yeo bowled by Tim Baxter for 9. Chris Spreadbury then perished for 7 to the father and son combination when Kevin Baxter took a steepling catch off Tim?s bowling. Pete Gibson then tried to take liberties with Ray Spreadbury?s spin and was castled for 4, precipitating a mini collapse as Dookey quickly followed, bowled by Graham Vincent and Short was caught short by J Berry off Ray Spreadbury. Russell Chapman then joined young Andy Tyrell and shepherded the youngster in a lengthy partnership which kept the fielders on their toes. The alert Tyrell finally went to a straight ball from Graham Vincent, and the adhesive Chapman was stumped neatly by Kevin Baxter off Roger Smith, going for glory and 29 well crafted runs. With batsmen to come and plenty of overs left, there was still something in it for the visitors. But Graham Vincent, Sandy Ralph and Rich Berry put the pressure on with some economical bowling, yielding only 17 runs from the final 8 overs and snaring the final two wickets in the process, John Mac going for 8, and Mitch for 2, leaving Steve Shaw undefeated on 5 as the visitors made 88. Tim Baxter 2 for 14, Ray Spreadbury 3 for 5, Roger Smith 1 for 8 Graham Vincent 2 for 7 and Sandy Ralph 2 for 7 were the wicket takers in another competent performance for the hosts.
