Devon League C West

Whitchurch v Alphington

THE Whitchurch Wayfarers got their season off to a winning start at home on Saturday when they took on Alphington at home.

Whitchurch’s captain, Billy Barriball, won the toss and decided to put the away side into bat. Whitchurch got off to a good start with the ball with Dan Poole picking up Murrin for three in his fourth over.

The away side found themselves two down shortly after, Rob Bone getting Haysom caught behind for just 12. Opener Halse was going nicely though as he brought up a fluent half century with Porter proving to be a valuable partner in a third wicket stand worth 69.

Halse finally fell for 78 chipping the Whitchurch captain to his younger brother Charlie at mid off. Porter then passed his half-century but couldn’t kick on with Darren Sambells getting him caught at point; the first of his three wickets.  Shepherd made a useful 40 at number five but the lower order failed to make the most of the platform set by the top 5 and Alphington finished on 230 for 8 from their 45 overs.

Whitchurch’s run chase got off to a solid start. B Barriball and R Bone put on 88 for the first wicket with Billy scoring an eye catching 55. Barriball was the first wicket to fall with Porter taking a stunning catch going backwards at mid off from the bowling of P James, who finished with figures of 5-36. Smith came in at three but only made six before being caught at midwicket off N Bright and he had a second wicket in his next over with B

one going for 47. Charlie Barriball smashed 37 from 16 balls before he was caught and bowled by Bright for his third wicket. The loss of three quick wickets changed the momentum in the game and the home side started to wobble as they went from 156-4 to 205-8. Ben Powell added a crucial 30 but was stumped off the bowling of James and when Dan Poole was bowled by K Ahmed for 12 the Wayfarers were 9 down requiring a run a ball from the last three overs to see them home.

Marc Kerswill and Darren Sambells were the men tasked with seeing the home side to victory and some huge blows from Sambells edged his side closer.

The game came down to the final ball with the scores tied. Sambells gloved the ball to his feet and set off. The throw at the non-strikers end missed the stumps giving Whitchurch the win by one wicket in a superb game of cricket. Whitchurch travel to Babbacombe in their second game as they look to build on a morale boosting first game.