Devon seconds D West

Torquay thirds v Whitchurch seconds

WHITCHURCH seconds travelled to Torquay hoping their return to form would continue. On a day of intermittent and heavy showers the prospects for a game looked doubtful.

Batting first, Torquay made slow but steady progress. Downham (0 for 10) proved to be difficult to get away on the damp track. Jack (53) and Carpenter (15) were resilient making it most of the way to drinks before Carpenter was well caught by Marais.

Francis (15) proved equal to the conditions and stuck around for quite a while before misjudging a flighted delivery from Meadows (1-26).

A quick fire 25 from Carter who was well stumped by Credicott down the leg side. After that the wheels came off the innings and Torquay struggled to 144 as the overs ticked by. Ben Prout came back for a second spell and bowled particularly well.

In reply the Whitchurch innings got off to a torrid start. A heavy shower at the tea interval made a big difference. Whitchurch found themselves 12-3 with the opening batsmen, including the in form Alford, barely troubling the scorers. Sedgeman (3-19) doing the damage.

Meadows played a swashbuckling 19 that got the innings going but it was Ben Hodge (30) and Clive Marais (21) who provided the bedrock upon which Whitchurch built their reply.

With the sun hinting at its presence the pitch started to become slightly easier. Lear (3-38) was making life difficult and the game was on the edge. Young Ben Prout (21 not out) came out and joined Wayne Downham (26 not out) in what proved to be the match winning innings.

With the last two batsmen waiting nervously in the pavilion these two batted with confidence hitting fours and sixes to all parts taking the game away from Torquay.

This was an excellent win for Whitchurch. The first teams fixture at home to Chagford was cancelled without a ball being bowled.