Walkhampton v Fortescue
IN between the showers, Walkham Valley and Fortescue Arms from Plymouth managed to put together an exciting game on Thursday evening.
Winning the toss, Walkham batted first in a match restricted to fifteen overs, which meant swift runs were called for.
James Hills and Tim Baxter duly obliged, despite some tight bowling by Fortescue, and Hills rattled up 24, including a six and three fours before falling to a steepling catch.
Richard Berry joined Baxter and the runs continued to flow steadily, Baxter eventually being run out for a busy 24 which included a six and two fours.
Wickets then tumbled quickly, but Berry stayed the course, hitting his second six of the game from the final ball to leave him 32 not out and Walkham on a creditable 96 for 6 off their allotted overs.
Fortescue set out their stall with a vigorous start, which was briefly interrupted when the perennially accurate Hills clean bowled Damian.
But then Stewart and White began to pile on the runs until Stewart was magnificently caught and bowled by James Vincent just as he was threatening to take the game out of sight.
A classy knock by Fiddler aided White?s efforts, but the latter was then removed by a straight ball from Tim Baxter.
It looked plain sailing for Fortescue until Fiddler was well run out by Kev Baxter for 18.
At this point, Vincent, aided by J Berry then put the brakes on with some very economical bowling in the final few overs, enhanced by some energetic and effective out fielding.
Needing 14 to win off the last over, with the weather now perversely brilliant, Walkham managed to keep the squeeze on and restricted the visitors to three runs, leaving them on 85 for 4, with the home side victors by eleven runs. Thrilling stuff!