Devon G West

Whitchurch seconds v Stoke Gabriel seconds

STAND-in Whitchurch skipper Neil Tamblin won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. Coulton and Reeves made a strong start adding 45 for the first wicket. The youngsters combined for the breakthrough with Fynn Hall taking the catch off Nathan Prout. Partners came and went for Coulton, while Tamblin took a couple of catches and Andy Hall a sharp chance at slip before Coulton completed his half century. He was eventually stumped by Credicott off Potts for 75.

The highlight of the day was a catch by Nathan Prout to dismiss Guppy for 16. It looked like he had mis-judged the flight and run inside it. However, a hand appeared and it stuck, although he still had to negotiate the boundary fence. Potts (2 for 11) mopped up the tail, as Stoke were dismissed for 144.

The Whitchurch reply followed a similar pattern to the Stoke innings. Rich Potts held the innings together, as Whitchurch’s other batsmen struggled to find their timing. Only Marais with 28 hung around for long, although Whitchurch managed to build small partnerships and not lose wickets in clusters. With 50 needed, Potts retired on 56 while Kerswill and Tamblin neared the target; however Potts returned at the fall of the next wicket to finish the victory. He ended 64 not out, as Whitchurch took maximum points to retain their chances of promotion with one game to go.