Whitchurch Wayfarers

2nd XI vs Braunton

This seems to be the story for Whitchurch this year, battling bravely but eventually falling, this time to an experienced Braunton XI.

After a long journey, Whitchurch were keen to show that they are not merely this league's whipping boys. Tambin lost the toss and Whitchurch were put into bat on a hard, dry track.

Openers Meadows and Macrae made a solid start, but both fell cheaply, Meadows mis-hitting a hook and Macrae missing a straight ball. Sivia and Tambin soon followed, and Whitchurch were wobbling on 46-4. However, the ever reliable Kerswell and big hitting Murphy brought Whitchurch to 86, but that slipped to 99-9 and only a 'Kevin Pietersen' cameo by Daymond got Wayfarers to 118 all out off 32.3 overs.

Braunton had been bowled out for 70 the previous week, so there was still hope.

Hope turned to reality after a vicious, clinical and pacey spell from Daymond reduced Braunton to 35-4, Daymond taking all four thanks to some ruthless short bowling and two smart catches by Luffman.

However, Braunton did not crumble, and some staunch defence from opener Abott and youngster Spicer seemed to rescue the Braunton ship.

A regulation slip catch by Macrae off Tambin opened some hope with 30 still needed, but it was in vain as Braunton strolled home. Despite another loss, Whitchurch's young side are still enthusiastic, as their tongue-in-cheek sledging to the Braunton batsmen proved.

Give these boys a few more years and Whitchurch will become a big player in this league.

Braunton 17pts Whitchurch Wayfarers 3pts. Braunton won by 5 wickets.