Devon seconds D?East

Thorverton vs Bridestowe seconds

TIM Shaw may have had to make a quick dash home before Bridestowe’s away match against Thorverton for his lucky hat but it proved worthwhile as he put in a wonderful batting display to help Bridestowe to victory.

After looking at two very green and wet wickets, Bridestowe thought it a good idea to win the toss and put Thorverton in but Jutson kept up his incredible record and lost another toss, with the home captain having no hesitation sticking Bridestowe in to bat.

Openers Jopling and Shaw started slowly and were struggling to get the ball of the square, never mind to the boundary. It took until the fifth over for the first boundary, and after a opening stand of 21, Dave Jopling was bowled after an unlucky flick off his pads onto his stumps.

Alex Jopling was the next man in and after a lovely straight 4 he mistimed a pull and was caught at midwicket. Steve Yates was next in after a much awaited return to Bridestowe Cricket Club colours. After some rusty shots, and a sublime Pietersen-esque edge through the slips whilst eyeing up midwicket, he was starting to find his feet again and was batting with confidence.

Shaw was still firing on all cylinders after his century the previous week and the partnership between him and Yates moved swiftly past the 50 mark. Some quick singles and a few lusty blows took the partnership over the 100 mark, and Bridestowe were eying up a huge first innings total.

Yates was then out, stumped after a nice knock of 32. Bridestowe then collapsed as Corey Holliday was in and out quickly without troubling the scores, Jutson (9) went after clubbing a six, Harris (6) was bowled to one that turned sharply, and Osman (6) was caught mistiming a shot after informing Thorveton of his personal best.

Tim Shaw then departed for an imperious 153 which included nine sixes and 18 fours. The tail added a few but young Jack Shaw edged one to the keeper and Kev Yates (8) was out caught trying to keep the strike, leaving Adam Moore not out for zero on his debut. That left Bridestowe all out for 244, a great effort on a damp pitch and indebted to Tim Shaw for another masterful innings.

Bridestowe took to the field with Jutson (4-13) and bomber Harris (0-17) taking the new ball. Both bowlers regularly troubled the batsman with great swing and accuracy, and were unlucky not to take any wickets in their opening spells.

However, with very few runs in the board, Thorveton were already well behind the required run rate. The introduction of Alex Jopling (0-44) with his sharp turning spin had the batsman confused at how to play him, and it seemed as though hitting out was their option.

Dave Jopling (1-32) was introduced at the other end and his accurate slow left-arm bowling got the breakthrough, hitting the top of off stump. With Alex still confusing the batsman and with Dave proving hard to get away, Thorveton were falling further behind the rate. Alex Osman (1-28) was introduced in place of Dave Jopling, and after a couple of deliveries that pitched on the next wicket Osman was starting to get a better line.

He got due reward by clipping the bails and taking his first wicket for Bridestowe. Shaw (0-15) was introduced at the other end to try to hurry the batsmen with his pace. Jutson was also brought back to replace Osman and took a wicket in his returning over, with the batsman mistiming his shot straight to Steve Yates for a comfortable catch. That was followed quickly by another well taken catch by Adam Moore, with a look of sheer shock preceding his celebration.

The match was seen out in fitting style with Jack Shaw and Adam Moore bowling the last four overs out between them, and the game ending with Thorverton well below the target on 188-6.

The match was played in great spirits and proved a fitting way to end a strong season for Bridestowe seconds’ first season back in league cricket, finishing fourth in the league and winning more games than any other team.