WALKHAM Valley went walkabout as far as Torpoint on Sunday for an away fixture against The Philanthropists at the Defiance Field. Philanthropists batted first but were pinned down initially by some very tight bowling by Rich Berry and James Vincent. Fenn was first to go, well caught at short third man by James Vincent off Berry with the score at 10 from 5 overs. The patient Jeffrey was joined by Whittaker who took a look at the bowling which was still on song and indeed had only conceded 16 runs from the first 9 overs. Whittaker then started to flirt with luck as he opened his shoulders and survived four dropped catches as he amassed 53 runs in a very fruitful partnership with Jeffrey. Whittaker fell eventually to Mike Kierney from a steepling catch which was well held by Sandy Ralph. Lockett then produced a vigorous innings against the middle order bowlers, hitting three boundaries including one six, but losing the very capable Jeffrey at the other end to a catch by Tim Baxter off Alistair Peers for 43. The brakes were applied again as Berry and James Vincent returned to the attack and Shaw came and went quickly, well taken at short mid off by Sandy Ralph off Berry. Philanthropists had put up a good total of 172 for 4 from their 40 overs, with Berry taking 2 for 14 from 6 overs, Peers 1 for 14 from 2, Kierney 1 for 23 from 6, James Vincent 0 for 14 from 6 and Sandy Ralph 0 for 10 from 4. Lockett was not out 32. Walkham Valley got off to a shaky start against hostile, accurate bowling particularly from Headlam, who bowled Rich Berry with his slower ball, then promptly dismissed Mike Kierney next ball with a fast grubber which took the leg stump. Tim Baxter hung on grimly for a while before falling to Charlesworth for 10. With repair work desperately needed, Duncan Short and Roger Smith applied themselves and stabilised the situation. The lively Short struck 24 runs including four boundaries before falling LBW to Maxfield. James Vincent announced himself with a couple of boundaries before Smith departed for a very good 20 runs. J Berry then joined James Vincent and the runs began to flow, Vincent striking a towering six over long, and Berry nurdling away at the other end, before he fell to the seventh ball of Maxfield?s last over for 10. With four wickets left, plenty of overs in the bank and James Vincent going like a train, the match was very much in the balance, but Sandy Ralph was undone by a full toss from Stripling, and Graham Vincent went cheaply, clean bowled by Stripling. Alistair Peers offered sturdy support to the robust Vincent who took two boundaries off Stripling, but was then adjudged LBW for a very creditable 36 with the visitors still requiring 30. This proved to be too much to ask the last wicket pair Ken Kay and Alistair Peers who stuck around for four overs before Peers was caught second attempt by Fenn off Shaw for 8, leaving the hosts victorious by 28. Headlam had 2 for 16 off 6, Charlesworth 1 for 32 off 8, Maxfield 2 for 27 off 6.1, Stripling 4 for 31 off 8 and Shaw 1 for 16 off 4. An excellent game of cricket