Devon C West

Alphington v Whitchurch firsts

WHITCHURCH’s three game unbeaten run ended when they travelled to second in the table Alphington.

Marc Kerswell, who was captaining the Wayfarers due to the absence of Billy Barriball, won the toss and decided to bowl first on what looked like a beautiful batting track. Things though did not go to plan for Whitchurch as Ben Powell was injured pre game and was unable to play which meant the away side had to field with ten men.

Alphington got off to a superb start with both openers, M Halse and Phillips making half centuries. Phillips eventually fell for 51 when he was caught at midwicket off the bowling of Dan Poole. Alphinton were flying at drinks but a few tight middle overs from Bone and Towl dragged Whitchurch back into the game with a score of 350 looking on the cards at the halfway point.

Halse continued to bat through the innings but he eventually fell six runs short of a century. David Northey picking up the crucial wicket for Whitchurch and his first for the first team. Northey continued to pick up wickets and ended up with 4-1.

N Halse and M Porter partnership pushed the home side up to a good score of 280. They finished on 48 not out and 26 not out respectively.

Whitchurch’s run chase got off to an awful start when Towl was bowled by Bath in the second over. Bath continued to rattle through Whitchurch’s top order and after his nine overs he had figures of 5-16.

Tom Jackman was the only Whitchurch batsman who looked comfortable at the crease as he made 28 before being bowled by Green who then went on to get figures of 4-1.  Whitchurch were bowled out for 60 in a day to forget for the Wayfarers against a very strong Alphington side.