Whitchurch v Exeter South 1st XI
WHITCHURCH continued their good start to the season with a hard fought victory at Exeter South. Despite inclement conditions the match started on time and went the full duration.
South batted first but found scoring difficult against the tight bowling of Lavis and MacDougall. Milver stuck around for a plucky 30 but wickets fell at regular intervals the other end.
Lavis bowled straight through, taking 2 for 28 and was ably supported by Mills, 2 for 18 and Davies, 3 for 26. Blinkhorn chipped in with a useful 24 to help South post a total of 128 for 9 in their allotted overs.
In reply, Whitchurch were soon in trouble. Credicott and Mansfield fell in the same over to Sercombe with the score not yet on double figures.
Chappell (20) and Newton (21) shored things up for Whitchurch, but runs continued to be hard to come by. Sercombe (3-50), Craven (2-30) and Blinkhorn (3-36) had reduced Whitchurch to 90-8 before a partnership between Mitchell (13no) and Lavis (20no) saw their side home.
Whitchurch, 17 points, beat Exeter South, 6 points, by 2 wickets.
Whitchurch v Dartington 2nd XI
THE Second XI also enjoyed a good victory despite poor conditions. Asked to bat on a soggy pitch, Hodge and Hall made light of the conditions to add 97 for the opening wicket. Hodge was then caught in the deep pushing for his 50, but coming up just short with 46. Hall did make an impressive half century but was run out for 71.
Whitchurch, with wickets in hand, were then able to attack the Dartington bowling in search of a large total. Oaks-Monger benefited to take 3-53. Gray posted a useful 25, as Whitchurch closed on 192 for 7 in their reduced allocation of 41 overs.
Heatley (2-24) and Horler bowled tightly, restricting the visitors? reply to under 2 runs an over. Webb and Rusling added 66 for the fourth wicket.
When Rusling fell to Alford for 26, their hopes of winning went with him and they were left looking for the 130 they needed for a losing draw.
Webb continued to attack and finished unbeaten on 74. However, wickets tumbled at the other end as Alford was rewarded for bowling straight, taking 6 for 32. Whitchurch were therefore able to snatch a victory in a match that Dartington deserved to draw.
Whitchurch, 19 points, beat Dartington, 4 points, by 68 runs.
Whitchurch v Civil Service
WHITCHURCH won the toss and decided to field. Civil Service were immediately under pressure from tight bowling from Murphy and Smith, backed up by tenacious fielding with Coulston and Derbyshire setting the standard.
After 6 overs, Civil were a mere 10 runs for 1 wicket. A flurry of runs by Dent briefly threatened Whitchurch?s hold but once he was caught by Smith off Newton, Whitchurch?s bowlers took control with Restall, Hammond and Murphy dominant.
Civil Service?s innings ended at 68 for 9 with the last pair surviving 15 balls. When Whitchurch batted, openers Probert and Smith looked to be positive without taking unnecessary risks, running hard between the wickets and scoring heavily off the bad ball, with Smith?s cover driving a delight to watch.
The pair built the pressure on the fielding team and in the 12th over, when Probert pulled a ball from Burns for three, Whitchurch had completed a comprehensive victory, built upon a superb team display in the field.