Devon League division D
Whitchurch Wayfarers v Uplyme
AGAINST all odds Whitchurch have put themselves in a position to avoid relegation. Until last week they were without a win and seemingly doomed to relegation.
Two wins on the trot have brought them to within six points of safety and the team above them must be looking over their shoulders with some alarm. That team is Uplyme who were the opponents this week.
In a match vital to both teams Whitchurch batted first and were quickly in trouble when Elliot failed to trouble the scorers.
Credicott and Smith settled down and took the score to 38 before Smith went for 17. Credicott then watched a procession of batsmen come and go as wickets fell steadily to Price (3-20) and Batey (4-29). Only Meadows (15) contributed meaningfully as the score edged slowly upwards. When the captain went for what was probably a match winning total of 60 the innings quickly closed on 112 with 11 unused overs.
From this point the match was not going to end in a draw and, from previous results, the odds favoured Uplyme. Whitchurch have had real problems bowling sides out and with only 112 to defend it would require a great performance.
In the first 10 overs that is exactly what happened as Webb (4-26) and Vernon (4-19) reduced Uplyme to 43-4. Opener Batey went shortly after for 24 well caught by Barriball off the bowling of Vernon. Tom Batey (26) ably supported by Howe (5) dragged Uplyme closer to the total and at 71-6 the game was on an edge. Their demise swung the game in the Wayfarers direction and despite a few lusty blows and a number of wides to keep supporters on the edge of their seats the game was won by 13 runs and Whitchurch moved 11 points closer to Uplyme.
With Uplyme having to visit league leaders Lewdown the Wayfarers are now in with a real chance of survival.
The second XI were thwarted by rain but remain second in their division.
Future fixtures: Whitchurch firsts on Saturday visit Ottery St Mary, while Whitchurch seconds entertain Babbacombe.
On Sunday Whitchurch play an annual friendly fixture against Stoke Gabriel while the ladies team travel to Sandford. A touring team Dinton visit on Wednesday.