Devon C West

Whitchurch v Kingsbridge

WHITCHURCH took on Kingsbridge on Saturday with the Wayfarers in need of picking up points to avoid the relegation battle or relegation itself.

Kingsbridge won the toss and elected to bat first. Charlie Barriball opened the bowling for Whitchurch and with his side needing him to pick up early wickets he did not disappoint. His opening spell was one of his best of the season as he knocked over four of the Kingsbridge batsman in his first spell.

De Silva steadied the ship for the away side who were in deep trouble at 44-5 and made several partnerships with the middle and lower order who all chipped in with a few runs. The run rate was steady but Kingsbridge were making sure they batted as many overs as they could and recovered to get up to 132 all out with 40 overs bowled, De Silva falling for a well made 37.

Whitchurch, who need to start picking up points, were excellent with the ball to reduce Kingsbridge to such a total.  Their run chase did not start well as they lost their captain, Billy Barriball early on and Bone fell shortly after.

Ben Hodge and Charlie Barriball batted superbly though and with Hodge keeping his end while Charlie scored freely the run chase never seemed to be in doubt. Kingsbridge fought back though, De Silva picked up both Hodge and Charlie Barriball in two overs and Whitchurch’s collapse began. Cotter, Macrae and Jackman all fell for single figures but the partnership of Powell and Kerswill halted Kingsbridge’s momentum and looked to swing the game back Whitchurch’s way.

It was the Kingsbridge captain who stepped up when his side needed him most. Westlake removed Kerswill for ten and then got Poole second ball to leave the home side nine down needing 14 runs for victory with five overs still remaining. Powell struck two boundaries in an over and the home side needed just three off the final four overs to win the game with Powell on strike. A single got the home side within two runs of victory but it was Westlake again as he bowled Northey and won the game for his side.

Kingsbridge edged the game by one run but Whitchurch will be bitterly disappointed to have walked away with just eight points when they were looking at the full 20 points at tea.