Devon seconds Whitchurch seconds v Yelverton thirds

FOLLOWING the wet weather, this match was moved to Buckland from Mount Kelly and all credit goes to Buckland for putting the work in to allow the game to be played.

Yelverton won the toss and had no hesitation asking Whitchurch to bat first. Alford holed out to the second ball and soon after Whitchurch were in real trouble on 14 for 3.

Webber and Marshall steadied the ship and saw off the openers including Spencer (2-32). Webber was then joined by Bob Powell. They built a partnership slowly and helped Whitchurch back into the game.

Webber was playing his best ever innings and deserved a maiden half century. However, in pursuit of runs for the team he edged a ball from Gary Hutchings and was agonisingly out for 49. With Powell they had added 91. With eight overs to go, Powell set about posting a challenging total on a drying pitch. With Tamblin they added 57, the majority scored by Powell who once again showed his class and experience in pacing an innings to finish unbeaten on 82 as his team scored 191-5.

Whitchurch made a dream start with the ball. McKenzie and Hall reduced the hosts to 3-3, assisted by slip catches from Hair and Tamblin. Smith and Ben Payne then developed a partnership which got Yelverton back in the game. At drinks the score had moved on to 76-3 and the game was in the balance. They then tried a second on a mis-field which led to a run out effected by Credicott. The dangerous Farnham then went without scoring, well caught by Emma Hogg off Tamblin (2-35).

Webber’s fine day continued as he took a reaction return catch to dismiss Ben Payne for 49 and then an equally athletic effort to remove Gary Hutchins off McKenzie (3-23). Credicott wrapped things up as Whitchurch won by 51 runs to just about keep their promotion chances alive.