Devon D

IN a pulsating match Whitchurch Wayfarers gave run away league leaders Ipplepen a real fright. The result was in doubt right to the end and a draw was probably a fair result for both sides.

After 13 overs rain delayed the start before Ipplepen, put into bat, raced to 71 for the loss of just one, Abbott well caught behind by Credicott - although by this time four catches had been spilled.

The efforts of Darren Sambells and Ollie McCrae were bowling without their deserved rewards. The introduction of Josh Meadows saw Tuckett (27) finally run out of luck caught by Gavin Hall. 

Richard Hall then changed both bowlers and the game sparked into life. Kerswill (2 for 33) and Hall (2-26) knocked the heart out of Ipplepen as they slumped from 71-2 to 127-7 with catches finally being taken and no partnership able to take a foothold. Boon (29) and Thomas (11) restored some order but Whitchurch took maximum five bowling points and set a target of 168 to win.

Richard Hall and Martin Credicott started the reply in a cautious manner. Bowlers Thomas (1-20) and Abbott (0-43) were asking a lot of questions. A mix up saw Hall run out for 12.

Ewen Smith, who rode his luck early on, went on to top score with 34 but Billy Barriball (29) and Josh Meadows (23) help take the score over the 100 mark. The difficulty was that the overs were running out and the asking rate moved nearer to 6.

Billy and Josh hit 17 runs off one over of Wakeham (2-44) and seemed to point the way to an unlikely victory.

Unfortunately things fell apart the next over as both batsmen went to lbws. After that Mason (4-37) became the danger man and the lower order could not keep the chase going.

In the end, the visitors had to hang on as 130-3 became 149-9 in a blink of the eye.