PLAYING league leaders Kenn was always going to be a tough game for Whitchurch. Although they had beaten Kenn earlier in the season the hosts were in the middle of a good run of results.

A humid, still day and a well grassed pitch suggested that winning the toss was going to be a decisive factor. Ben Powell called incorrectly and, unsurprisingly, found himself opening the batting. Kenn’s opening bowlers Thomas (1 for 26) and, particularly, Stronge (0-25) sprayed the ball around. Extras did particularly well from this. When pitched the ball behaved erratically. It was as likely to hit the shoulder as skid low along the ground.

Powell (11) and Hall (8) bore the brunt of this opening spell with patience and fortitude. A change of bowling brought Kenn their first wicket as Hall misjudged a ball that straightened. Barriball (21) joined Powell and the pair worked the ball around well in a partnership of 30 that took Whitchurch to 60-1 just before drinks. The run rate was low but the prospect of a challenging total was there. The introduction of Kenn’s captain Mason to the attack transformed the game. His figures of 9-5-9-5 is testament to the damage he caused. He first pinned Powell in front then ripped out the middle order; four batsmen trudging back to the pavilion without managing a run between them.

At 79-7 it was now a case of picking up as many points as possible. Richard Potts (34) had watched the devastation from the other end of the pitch. He now used his experience to marshal the tail end taking the attack to Kenn in what was probably the highlight of the day for Whitchurch. 35 runs were gleaned from the last two wickets as Whitchurch limped to 115 all out.

Any hope of a comeback was dashed within the first few overs. Whatever demons had been in the pitch were absent as Chaloner (66 not out) and Swannell (13) set off at six runs per over. Although Downham (1-26) got Swannell to nick the ball to the keeper that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Gosling (35 not out) joined Chaloner and the pair took advantage of any loose delivery. Three dropped catches did not help the Wayfarers’ cause as Kenn raced home to a comfortable nine wicket win. Next week Whitchurch play Yelverton again hoping to better their previous performance.

Kenn win by nine wickets.