Devon D
Ottery St Mary v Whitchurch
WHITCHURCH first XI travelled to East Devon with some trepidation. With both strike bowlers absent and facing a team vying for promotion.
Although Ollie McCrea (0-30) and George Webb (1-48) bowled tidily at the beginning Ottery got off to a steady start with 40 from their first 10 overs. The introduction of Josh Meadows and returning Hammy Kerswill brought about a change and at the half way stage Ottery had slumped to 104-4. Meadows (5-57) ripped the heart out of the esteemed Ottery batting and, for a time, a shock result was on the cards. At the other end Kerswill (2-45) belied the fact that this was his first outing of the season and closed up one end as Meadows spun his magic at the other.
Coming in at eight with Ottery struggling on 143-5 Woodman turned the tide with a quickfire unbeaten 41 as he bludgeoned the bowling to take the home team above 200 runs.
The Whitchurch reply showed considerable resilience. Although Ben Powell and Ewen Smith did not trouble the scorers too much both Martin Credicott (41) and captain Richard Hall (18) showed steel as they guided the team through the first 15 overs.
The required run rate was crept towards five an over and the value of Woodman's 41 was being felt. In trying to up the rate Credicott lost his off stump to Woodman (3-34). Solid contributions from both Webb (35) and man of the match Meadows (30 not out) saw off any danger of a defeat. Although there was a late clatter of wickets Whitchurch did not deserve to lose and came away with a very creditable draw against a strong side.
* Whitchurch fixtures: On Saturday the first XI are at home to Countess Weir; the seconds are away to Torquay; on Sunday Whitchurch ladies play Bovey Tracey ladies; on Monday the U13s are home to Plympton St Maurice; on Tuesday U11s are away to Plympton; in the TEL Whitchurch are home to Werrington; Wednesday the U15s are home to Plymstock.