Devon C East

Whitchurch firsts v Chagford firsts

WHITCHURCH got back to winning ways as they beat fourth in the league Chagford after a poor run of form.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on an overcast day with drizzle in the air. Bone and Barriball opened the batting for the home side as they reached 71 in good time before Bone was caught behind for 21 off the bowling of Wright (1-27).

Whitchurch’s captain Billy and brother Charlie put on 40 for the third wicket, which saw Whitchurch 134 for 3 before Billy was bowled by Penberthy (2-39) for 63. Charlie soon followed as he mistimed a full toss in the next over off Rowlands (3-28) that went straight up and was caught at mid wicket.

Kev Jacobs made 20 and was supported by Tom Sherrell who raced to 19 settling any thoughts of a collapse. Jackman came in at seven and he made 26 before the game was stopped with just two overs to go in the Whitchurch innings due to rain. The sides took an early tea and the game was reduced to 43 overs per side with Chagford needing 217 to win.

Their run chase got off in good fashion as openers Marais and Fulner raced along getting to 42 off just five overs before Billy Barriball had Morais for 27. Kerswell then bowled Wright for just 12 and the away side were 62-2 and the Wayfarers had their tails up.

Fulner and Lord batted sensibly to get to 100 but Lord was caught at cover off the bowling of Bone (4-45), which started a collapse. Bone then picked up Fulner who fell just two short of his half century as he picked out Billy Barriball on the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Charlie Barriball picked up two wickets to make sure there was no fight back with only Griffiths making a stand for the away side as he batted the innings out reaching 30.

Chagford finished 186-9 after their 43 overs giving Whitchurch a 30 run win and 19 points to settle any nerves about relegation..