Devon seconds D West

Whitchurch seconds v Chelston and Kingskerswell seconds

WHITCHURCH won the toss and elected to field, but suffered an early blow as opening bowler Phil Mackenzie dislocated his knee and the end of the first over, making a futile lbw appeal.

Chelston sportingly loaned a fielder who subsequently took a superb low catch to dismiss Ibbotsen off the bowling of Webber. Butt, so often the nemesis of Whitchurch in the past, set off full of intent with some big sixes of Whitchurch’s weakened attack.

Meadows bowled a tidy spell but wickets were hard to come by. Butt completed his half century and upped the run rate after the drinks break.

Prout showed some promise with a few lively overs, but a further injury to Tamblin limited the bowling options further. Huggins showing promise on his debut. Butt continued to find the boundary regularly and made a deserved and unbeaten century closing on 111 not out.

Webber, the pick of the Whitchurch bowlers, returned to dismiss Hurrel for 27 and return figures of 3-43. Chelston posting 228 for 6.

With a side stronger in the batting department, the target was gettable. Andy Wallace and Ben Hodge made a solid start but both fell to left armer Gypes.

For once, Whitchurch’s solid middle order failed, with Gypes talking a further two wickets to finish with 4-28. Hunt also bowled a tidy spell with 2-14.

At 77 for 7, Whitchurch could only bat for points. Alford and Tamblin, hampered by his earlier injury, worked the ball around, setting small targets. Alford was the chief run scorer with a well made 50, including a rare maximum. Tamblin chipped in with 31 as 80 was added for the eighth wicket and a fourth batting point all but secured.

Simon Wallace, last man in the absence of McKenzie struck two lovely boundaries to secure the fourth point. Alford finishing 63 not out.

Whitchurch took seven points from the defeat but showed plenty of fighting spirit to secure points which could be vital later in the season.