Devon D West

Whitchurch Wayfarers v St Marychurch Old Boys

WHITCHURCH hosted St Marychurch Oldboys looking to gain another victory.

The game had a rain delayed start and was reduced to 33 overs a side. Once that cleared Whitchurch lost the toss and were put into bat. Powell and Towl opened the batting against the Old Boys but Powell was soon gone bowled by Prentice (1 for 33) with the score on just 15. This bought Hall to the crease but a downpour meant another stoppage. The game was now reduced to 30 overs per side.

Towl went soon after the break as he was caught behind for 14 off the bowling of Hudson (1-29). Andy Wallace (46) and Rich Hall (38) put on 85 for the third wicket. Wallace rode his luck with several dropped catches while Hall continued his good form.

At 122-3 Whitchurch were in a strong position. The visitors came back strongly with three quick wickets. Thompson (3-19) taking a smart catch off his own bowling to dismiss Barriball.  Thompson bowled Wallace as his luck finally ran out.

With Credicott (4) deceived by the flight of the first ball from Robbins (2-19) a score of 127-6 looked less convincing. Darren Sambells (22) and Ben Hodge (8) restored a bit of order and Whitchurch finished on 167.

Having bowled out St Marychurch for 36 at their ground Whitchurch took the field with confidence. Northey and Sambells opened the bowling for Whitchurch and were soon rewarded as Sambells took a wicket in his first over, Prentice caught by Hodge for 0.

When Northey trapped McConnell in front for 0 the score was 4-2 and things were looking ominous. In his next over Northey (2-24) bowled Hudson for five and then Sambells (3-7) bowled Griffiths for 0.

St Marychurch were struggling on 22-5. Things got worse when Myers went for 8. At this stage Marcus Thompson (42), well supported by Sean Tucker (3), put together the second best partnership of the match.

Taking no risks and frustrating the fielding side they put on 41 invaluable runs. The run rate was far too high but Whitchurch needed all five bowling points.

Eventually Kerswill (2-18) induced Tucker to feather the ball to Credicott who took a neat catch standing up to the stumps. Thompson then started to attack more and was out mistiming a hook off Hodge (2-16). By that time the visitors had gained two valuable batting points. The end quickly followed with Hodge and Webber picking off the tail enders.

n Whitchurch seconds gained 20 points as their game against Abbotskerswell was cancelled earlier in the week due to the latter being unable to field a team.

n Future fixtures: On Saturday Whitchurch firsts will be home to Chelston and Kingskerswell; the seconds are to Chelston and Kingskerswell; on Sunday, friendly, Hodge Cup; Tuesday Evening League home to Lewdown.