Thorverton Seconds v Whitchurch Seconds PLAYING their first game in three weeks due to the adverse weather, Whitchurch Seconds enacted their own version of the great escape. Whitchurch won the toss and invited Thorverton to bat on what looked like a good pitch. With early movement, Daymond and Ingram made life difficult for the home side and combined with a lack of bounce, runs proved hard to come by. Ingram continued his fine early season form returning 4 for 26 from his spell as Thorverton struggled to 65 for 6. The other two wickets fell to Alford. The arrival of Denford at number 8 for the home side changed the complexion of the game. After being given a couple of lives, some lusty straight hitting saw the match swing. Jackson kept things tight at one end with 2-20, but runs flowed from the other. Thorverton had recovered to 173 before losing their last two wickets in the final over to Tamblin. This was still a gettable total, but Whitchurch got off to a poor start. Against Wright, 3 for 39 and M Denford, 3 for 27, Whitchurch slumped to 27 for 4 and then 52 for 8. The ninth wicket falling shortly after as Jackson went for a stubborn 18. The writing was on the wall for a humiliating defeat, with more than 18 overs remaining in the game. Batting for pride and batting points, Under 15 colt, Ewan Smith and skipper Tamblin steadily accumulated runs, passing 100 for a batting point. Thorvey continued to strive but seemed to lack ideas of how to break the final partnership as the stand passed 50. As the overs ran out, Whitchurch began to think a losing draw might be a possibility and despite the best efforts of Thorverton?s own promising colt W Denford, did hold out for the unlikeliest of escapes. Smith finished unbeaten on 45, with Tamblin on 33 as together they shared in an unbroken stand of 71, setting a new league record in the process. Whitchurch will be looking for more application this week, when they entertain local rivals Tavistock.
