Devon seconds D West

Whitchurch seconds v Plymouth fourths

ANY lingering hopes of promotion have faded for Whitchurch seconds after they lost a cracking game which should have been over at tea.

Whitchurch were asked to bat first and made a rip-roaring start. Fifty was on the board in the sixth over when Wallace misjudged one and was bowled for 28.

All of Whitchurch’s top order got in and then got out, without going on to make a telling contribution. Credicott got 29, Jacobs 24 and Meadows 42.

While the run rate was high wickets kept falling. With 15 overs to go Whitchurch were 181-6, Hughes taking the wickets with 3-45.

In the final overs Vernon made his presence felt. After passing 50 he accelerated with some excellent shots. Vernon would miss out on a century, however, as team mates tried to get him to the milestone. He finished unbeaten on 96 as Whitchurch posted 291-9; a score which should have won most matches.

However, the Plymouth batsmen had other ideas.

After the early loss of Parsons, caught superbly by Meadows in the slips, Hart and Edmonds made hay. They both capitalised on some loose bowling and poor fielding to advance the score. Both completed half centuries, though at the half way mark they were behind the run rate.

A few big overs put Plymouth right in the run chase.

With 15 to go, Edmonds completed his century and at that stage Plymouth were probably favourites.

Edmonds was then run out for 112 after a dropped catch and the rest of the batting order was exposed.

Hart completed his century but when he was caught for 115 the nerves began to jangle.

With five an over needed, Whitchurch needed some strong bowlers. Wickets fell and kept them in it, but only three were needed off the last over.

Meadows (3-73) took a wicket with the scores level. There was then a huge scramble, mix up and consultation of the laws before a run was awarded and Plymouth won by two wickets with one ball to spare.