Devon C West

Whitchurch Wayfarers v Bridestowe

WHITCHURCH faced local rivals Bridestowe at home on Saturday as they looked to end a poor run of form.

Bridestowe won the toss and elected to field first. Whitchurch got off to a solid but steady start with openers Billy Barriball and Rob Bone putting on 52 for the first wicket. Barriball was the first to go when he was bowled by Jutson for 37. Whitchurch were 88-2 at drinks with Bone and Charlie Barriball at the crease and with lots of batting to come Whitchurch were able to take more risks. Bone fell for 31 after he edged Ewen to first slip but Charlie was motoring and raced to 50 soon after the drinks’ break.

The home side then lost a few quick wickets with Credicott, Towl and then Charlie Barriball falling in quick succession all falling to Jack Hatton. Mark Gibbs batted well with the tail though as he made an eye catching 45.

Whitchurch ended their innings on 282 all out with Poole falling to the last ball of the game. 

During the tea break the rain struck and the game was shortened to a 25 over game with Bridestowe now needing 158 to win from 25 overs.

Bridestowe openers Tom Foggerty and Gary Sizmur got the away side off to a quick start as they raced to 56. Billy Barriball broke their partnership though with Sizmur edging to Cotter behind the stumps. Billy then got Fogerty in the same over as he chipped to short mid wicket and Whitchurch were back in the game.

Bridestowe continued to come hard at Whitchurch but in doing so gave the home side opportunities to take wickets. Poole bowled J Ewen and then got S Ewen caught and bowled but despite wickets falling Bridestowe were always ahead of the run rate.

Jack Hatton remained at the crease whilst wickets fell around him and although he eventually fell lbw to Charlie Barriball for 38 he had put his side in a commanding position. Butler smashed 21 not out to see the away side over the line with two overs remaining.

Whitchurch have failed to win a game since the first week of the season and they will be desperate to win next week against bottom of the table Chelston.