WHITCHURCH gave a Plymouth CS side containing several players who have played in a much higher division a run for their money in a game that was far closer than the final score suggested.
Batting first Whitchurch lost early wickets as the top order once again did not quite deliver the goods.
Powell (34) had to wait for Billy Barriball (29) for some stability. They put on a stand of 54 that took Whitchurch to 74-4 at the half way stage. Nigel Barriball (27) and Josh Vernon (22) also put on 46 and were unfortunate to have the partnership broken by a run out. Again the later batsmen scored half the runs in bringing some respectability to the final total of 140 all out.
Plymouth CS batsmen found themselves tied down for much of the second innings. In chasing down the total they took most of the overs available and dot balls were much in evidence.
Their patience paid off though and perhaps the experience of the visitors in tight situations was the difference between the two sides.
After 30 overs a score of 94-4 was similar to that of Whitchurch's. Gaylord (14 ), Wilkinson (16) and Williams (28) all got starts but did not progress as Sambells (1 for 29) and Heatley (2-33) held the upper hand with some tight accurate bowling.
Dave Bayliss hit a pugnacious six off the first ball he received from Heatley who had, until that point, only conceded 25 runs off 12 overs. Although veteran Gavin Hall bowled a miserly five overs for just six runs and the wicket of Bayliss Whitchurch simply did not have enough runs on the board and Plymouth were able to edge over the finishing line without too much difficulty.
With the front line bowlers of Josh Vernon and Darren Sambells both missing next week Richard Hall has a week of head scratching to sort out his options as they head for a visit to promotion chasers Ottery St Mary.
n Whitchurch firsts are away to Ottery St. Mary on Saturday; the second XI host Lewdown; Sunday Ladies travel to Bovey Tracey, touring team Hythe and Dibden at home; Monday U15s away to Lewdown; Tuesday, U13s away to Cornwood and TEL away to Callington; on Wednesday St Neot Travellers visit the Wayfarers.