Devon E West

Yelverton Bohemians firsts v Shaldon Optimists

Yelverton first XI fell just short of victory once again as they lost by three wickets at home against Shaldon.

The Bohemians won the toss and batted first, getting off to a steady start with the score 40-0 after ten overs.

It was the introduction of Tshepo Legodi (3-43) that broke the opening partnership. He removed James Casey (4) with his first ball, before dismissing Ben Grove (38) in his next over.

Runs were hard to come by in the next ten overs and the game swung firmly in Shaldon’s favour when Richard Fisher (3-21) picked up three wickets in four balls in the 20th over.

Yelverton were in trouble at 64-5 but James Reyburn (38) and Arvind Singh (58) put on 86 for the sixth wicket to bring them back into the game.

Following Reyburn’s departure with nine overs left, the home side pushed on from 150-6 as Dan Cooper (35) and Singh batted with great intent in a stand of 54, helping Yelverton up to 214-8 from their 45 overs.

Shaldon’s run chase got off to a blistering start as overseas player Ruben Minnaar (65 off 42 balls) hit the ball with tremendous power in the early stages.

Dan Cooper (2-51) picked up two wickets in the fourth over, leaving the visitors 30-2, but Minnaar was taking the game away from Yelverton until he skied one right into the hands of James Casey at cow-corner off the bowling of Chris Mercer (1-22).

Despite his dismissal, Shaldon were still favourites at 93-3 in just the 13th over.

A 40-run partnership between Carl Woolnough (32) and Adam Dowsing strengthened their position, but Yelverton were back in contention after Arvind Singh ran out Woolnough and James Reyburn superbly caught Joe Wilcox (7) a few overs later.

Shaldon were now 145-5, but Dowsing (49 not out) continued to bat on. Yelverton picked up two more wickets, but were not able to breakdown the lower order, as the away side reached the 215 target with three wickets remaining in the 41st over.