Devon D

Ottery St Mary

WHITCHURCH ended a disappointing season as they started with a loss. Overnight rain had left the Wayfarers ground damp and a difficult proposition on which to post a meaningful total.

Batting first the home team quickly lost Doug Vernon to an inswinging yorker. Billy Barriball followed soon after before George Webb (25) and Ewen Smith (22) put together a careful partnership of 36. Both went fairly close together bringing together Martin Credicott (12) and Josh Meadows (23) who faced the accurate bowling of Johns (3-24) and Woodman (1-17). Progress was slow and the runs were coming at fewer than three an over.  In an attempt to up the pace after drinks Meadows fell to a good catch by Clements. Bob Powell produced a bright and breezy 17 but as runs were garnered so wickets fell. Harrison returning for his second spell picked up 3 for figures of 5-59.

The innings petered out on a meagre 142 using just short of the allocation. In reply Ottery St Mary set about their task in the knowledge that rain was coming.

Ottery did not have it all their own way losing six wickets as they blasted their way to the total. Stand-in captain Nigel Barriball knowing that only a win would be good enough rang the changes with the bowling attack. The ever reliable Marc Kerswill took 3-32 and catches were held but the total was too small to defend.

In the end the result was academic. Whimple, also haunted by relegation, picked up nine points in a tight game against Halberton and that was enough to make them safe.

The result means relegation for Whitchurch first XI and a return to E Division cricket.