Devon E West

Whitchurch seconds v Paignton fourths

WHITCHURCH Wayfarers completed a comprehensive victory over a depleted Paignton side at Whitchurch House.

Asked to bat first Whitchurch lost two quick wickets to poor strokes. Wallace (2) kept veteran Chappell (102) company and looked comfortable until bowled by one that came across him. By this time Chappell had found his rhythm and the fielding was already somewhat ragged as boundaries started to flow. His partnership of 152 with man of the match Josh Vernon (58) set the tone for the rest of the innings.

With Vernon straight driving anything loose and Chappell overcoming a strained hamstring to reach an accomplished century things were looking bleak for the visitors.

Captain Mark Ashworth (3-32) brought himself on and stemmed the flow of runs but both Jackman (18) and Folley (not out 13) helped Powell declare on 261-5 overs remaining.

In reply Paignton were in immediate trouble as they were unable to deal with the raw pace and accuracy from Vernon (3-18). His first delivery clipped the top of middle stump and Ashworth (0) was well caught by Powell flailing at a wide delivery shortly after.

At the other end Folley (4-24) bowled all four of his victims in an accurate spell that punished anyone who did not play forward.

One bright spot for Paignton was the performance of young Joel Ashworth (47 not out). After a steady performance behind the stumps he showed considerable patience with the bat.

He was unlucky not to gain a deserved fifty when he finally ran out of partners.

Whitchurch, however, fully deserved their maximum haul of points.