Cricket

Devon D West

Whitchurch firsts

WHITCHURCH in the second game of the season. Put into bat by stand in captain Nigel Barriball the hosts were always on the front foot looking to score quickly.

Anything short was punished and usually involved a long chase. Senior (18) was an early wicket falling victim to Sambells (1 for 45)  but Ramela and Allen (34) kept the pressure on with a quick fire stand of 74. Kerswill (2-34) was unlucky not to hang onto a difficult caught and bowled chance offered by Ramela. His bowling challenged the batsmen with only 16 coming off his first six overs.

The halfway stage saw South Devon comfortable on 120-3 and Whitchurch pleased with the way in which they had contained a powerful batting line up. South Devon started to apply the pressure after the drinks interval and the run rate rose. Knowles (4) and Bingley (10) fell quickly but Price (27) and Beaument (29) did not hold back. Innovative field settings worked for a while but the intensity eventually told and South Devon finished on a commanding 273; Poole (1-60) picking up a wicket with the last ball of the innings earning a valuable point for Whitchurch.

An asking run rate of six was always going to be a tall order and so it proved. Bingley (0-17) and Harris (2-25) bowled very tightly. Gibbs (9) and Potts(2) went early and left Whitchurch on 37-2 after 14 overs. Josh Vernon (80 not out) joined Bob Powell (52) to form a match defining partnership of 106. Despite rotating the bowlers South Devon could do nothing to shift the Whitchurch pair. Both batsmen were carrying injuries but stilled managed to keep the fielders on their toes with quick singles. Anything dropped short was punished.  While achieving the target of 274 runs was not on the cards the steady accumulation of batting points was achieved. One highlight was a towering six by Vernon that disturbed the blossom off a tree. A tired shot saw Powell caught in the deep. Kerswill (10 not out) joined Vernon and the pair kept up the pace and Whitchurch picked up a valuable four batting points.

n This Saturday Whitchurch firsts are home to Yelverton while the seconds are away to Hatherleigh thirds.