Walkham Valley v Devon Tors FOLLOWING their successful fund raising match on Sunday against a Yelverton team, Devon Tors took on Walkham Valley in fine conditions at the memorial field in an evening fixture. The locals won the toss and batted first, quickly losing Simon Ward, clean bowled for a duck by Devon Tors? youngest player, Ian, who then also accounted for Ray Spreadbury after he had clouted a four. Tim Baxter was joined by his father, Kevin, who set about the visitors? attack with vigour, striking two boundaries in his highest total for the club of 21 before falling to a straight ball from Mitch. Rich Berry and Tim Baxter then put on 20 before the latter was well caught at the wicket off Davo for 16. Paul Gibbings came and went quickly for a single, caught off Peter Gibson. This brought together another father and son combination as J Berry arrived at the crease. Having survived a vicious yorker from Peter Gibson, he took advantage of some generous bowling, hitting three sixes and a four before retiring undefeated on 28 in a partnership of 40. Roger Smith became young Ian?s third victim as he was clean bowled for 3. James Vincent then entered the fray and he and Rich Berry also put on 40 runs, Vincent hammering two sixes and two fours before retiring on 25. Chris Spreadbury started with a boundary, then Rich Berry reached 30 with another six as he retired unbeaten, bringing his father back to face the last few balls. A hectic flurry with Chris Spreadbury saw the latter run out for 6 after slipping in mid-pitch off the final ball, leaving Walkham on 148 for 7. Peter Gibson with 1 for 21, Mitch with 1 for 14 bowled well, but the honours went to young Ian with 3 for 14. Devon Tors got off to a poor start when they lost Ian to Paul Gibbings in the first over, though Peter Gibson made his intentions clear with some lusty shots which brought him a couple of boundaries. Shaun was run out for a single, then Clayton also perished for a duck, bowled by Simon Ward. When Den was stumped by Kevin Baxter off Roger Smith, things were looking black for the visitors, but sensible batting by Mitch helped Gibson restore things before Gibson fell to a remarkable one-handed catch at short mid-off by Roger Smith off Ray Spreadbury for 19 runs. Mitch quickly lost Adrian (3), Dave, well caught by Paul Gibbings for 0 and John (3) to Ray Spreadbury and Roger Smith, which brought the seasoned campaigner Ralph to the wicket. He showed real character and good shot selection as he and Mitch put on 30, including four boundaries, before Mitch fell to a diving catch at short extra cover by J Berry off James Vincent?s spin. When Simon fell to Chris Spreadbury?s second catch of the match off Roger Smith, it was game over as Devon Tors reached a spirited 74, with the stubborn Ralph undefeated on 21. Bowling honours were shared as Ray Spreadbury took 3 for 5, Roger Smith 3 for 8, Paul Gibbings 1 for 3, Simon Ward 1 for 10 and James Vincent 1 for 3.
