WHITCHURCH 2nd XI recorded their third consecutive win in the Devon League in convincing fashion against Ashburton 2nd XI on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Ashburton were soon in trouble with three early wickets falling to the bowling of Graham Horler and Joel Heatley. Horton (21), Platt (12) and V Coon (22) revived the Ashburton innings for a while but good spells of bowling from Phil Mansfield (3 for32) and Matt Mills (3 for 32) made scoring difficult and wickets began to tumble.

Horler returned to take the last wicket giving him match figures of 3 for 14 and Ashburton were all out for 114 in 44 overs.

Highest scorer for Ashburton was Extras (36), most of which were wides. Whitchurch were left to score 115 for victory in 48 overs.

The Whitchurch innings started badly when Mansfield played on to Stephenson for 1 and shortly after Stokes was lbw to Broughton for 12.

Steve Hodge and Ian Gray both batted confidently until Hodge went down the wicket to Horton and was stumped for 31.

Gray, who looks a better batsmen every week, went on to score 40 not out including two glorious cover drives for four; together with Andy Mitchell (12 not out) he took Whitchurch to a comfortable win with 19 overs and 7 wickets to spare. Whitchurch 19 pts, Ashburton 2 pts.