Sun Bank Under 15

National Club

Championship

Whitchurch v Bideford

WHITCHURCH are the county champions. They defeated Bideford thanks to an outstanding team performance under the astute leadership of captain Richard Freedman.

As in the semi-final against cup favourites Plymouth, Whitchurch started as underdogs but they showed strength of character and played to a strict game plan to emerge as victors.

Put into bat in the final, Whitchurch made a steady start to their innings reaching 33 for 2 by the end of the tenth over. At this stage the innings came to life with the arrival of Wayne Downham at the crease.

Downham punished the Bideford bowlers to score a whirlwind 43 off 22 balls. His innings included five 6s, with three of these coming in one over. When Downham was bowled by Jenn, opener Ali Falconer held the final part of the innings together, finishing with 37 not out. Falconer was well supported by Tom Jackson, 11 not out. The Whitchurch total of 111 for 3 left the match evenly balanced.

Accurate opening spells by Darren Sambells and Tom Jackson placed early pressure on the Bideford batsmen. Although neither took a wicket, few runs were scored and this forced Bideford to begin to strike out against the change bowlers. A fine catch by Falconer off the bowling of Hutchins dismissed opener Wigley for 14.

Steady scoring took the total to 55 before Hutchins struck again with two wickets in consecutive deliveries. Bowser soon followed, run out as a result of Jackson's accurate throw to wicket keeper Freedman.

With Bideford at 61 for 4 at the end of the 15th over, Whitchurch were beginning to sense victory. However, number two batsman Jenn continued to score runs and was well supported by Martin. Whitchurch found themselves in need of some inspiration and it came in the form of outstanding catches by Hutchins and Falconer. This typified the high quality fielding of all eleven Whitchurch players.

Again Whitchurch found themselves on the brink of becoming county champions, with 26 runs needed off two overs and only four wickets remaining. However, fine batting by Kerr and Thompson brought 13 runs in the penultimate over. Although nerves were beginning to jangle among the large crowd, James Kaminski showed considerable composure to see only three runs scored during his final over. This took Whitchurch to a well deserved victory by 9 runs.

As county champions, Whitchurch now go on to represent Devon in the regional play-off against the Cornish champions, St Just.