Devon E division Whitchurch v Whimple

THE new win-lose format for the Devon League means that the margins for error are small. Whitchurch lost to Whimple by three runs in a game they should have won.

Batting first, Whimple found it hard to score against Poole (2 for 30) and Sambells (2-34). The first 14 overs brought only 35 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Only Palfrey (28), coming in at number six, showed any confidence against the bowling, clubbing a couple of sixes on the way. Crucially, though, the extras mounted and the 25 wides proved to be both the third highest contributor to the Whimple total, but also the difference between victory and defeat.

Charlie Barriball (3-16), coming on late, bowled particularly well, claiming both Palfrey and Witton (29) who was operating on an 'only boundaries will do' policy.

Even with the 39 extras 163 did not appear to be too big a target at tea-time. At the halfway stage in reply Whitchurch were sitting pretty on 83 for 3; although the first three were back in the pavilion, both Billy Barriball (65) and Rob Bone (32) were looking comfortable.

The introduction of Searle to the Whimple attack changed the game. With his third delivery he found the edge of Barriball's bat and broke a partnership worth 56 runs. Shortly after he ripped through the lower order in a devasting eight deliveries which saw the departure of four batsmen, three for ducks. Although Dan Poole (8) and Josh Towl (14no) tried valiantly to make it to the target they missed it by just three runs.

Whimple gained the precious 10 points for a win and Whitchurch were left to ponder about the 25-run difference in extras.