Devon E

Whitchurch v Topsham St James

THE sun finally came out on the cricket season and with it the runs flowed. Whitchurch were asked to bat first on a lovely batting track, with a quick outfield.

Powell (36) and Bone (29) made a solid start seeing off the new ball. After 20 overs Whitchurch were 70-1 with a platform to build.

After Powell was trapped by Crew (2-36), Billy Barriball played himself in, but lost Bone to a superb piece of fielding from Treleaven.

The familiar Whitchurch middle order collapse ensued, with Whitchurch slipping to 135-6. However, stand in skipper Barriball showed plenty of maturity and found an ally in Bob Powell.

Together they added 72 for the seventh wicket in good time, as Barriball completed his half century. 28 balls later, Barriball was celebrating a fine century comprising six sixes and 10 fours. He was to go to finish unbeaten on 122, as Whitchurch posted a par score of 238-8.

Whitchurch's opening bowlers bowled tightly for the first 10 overs. However, Sparkes began to find the boundary with increasing frequency.

Wickets fell regularly with Sambells and Charlie Barriball taking two each. With 15 overs left, the game was in the balance. The dangerous Treleaven was then run out by a cool piece of fielding from Jackman, but Sparkes remained.

The run rate increased to eight an over, but Whitchurch did not make life easy for themselves. A wild throw taking Poole out of the game with a nasty injury.

Defending a quick outfield and Sparkes in full flow was difficult with ten men. Sparkes completed a well deserved century, but was running out of partners the other end. With 31 needed off the last over, Whitchurch thought they were home and dry. However, Sparkes smashed six, four, six, six off the first four bowls to reduce the target to nine. Tamblin then regained some composure and beat the flailing Sparkes (145) for Powell to whip off the bails and seal a good victory.

This was another good win, but there are still plenty of areas to work on.

Devon seconds E (West) 

Whitchurch seconds v Plymouth fourths

WHITCHURCH started well with Dunne and Hodge adding 23 for the first wicket. Hodge and Wallace then added another 20 before Hodge was caught for 21.

Wallace was then joined by Credicott. Together they put on exactly 100 for the third wicket, when Credicott was out for 52.

Wallace continued to play his shots and with debutant Ed Watson added 110 for the fourth wicket. Wallace eventually caught and bowled by Haffenden for 90. Watson completed his half century as Whitchurch posted 260-4.

The Plymouth reply struggled to get going. Hodge and Folley the stand out bowlers, keeping things tight as well as taking wickets.

When Hancock retired hurt, the game looked up for Plymouth. Hodge with 2-18 and Folley 5-39 reduced Plymouth to 122-8. Skipper Haffenden stuck around, while number 11 Bettison hit 36, aided by a proliferation of extras.

When the ninth wicket fell at 208, Plymouth still had a chance to win the game, so the injured Hancock returned, only to be run out soon after. Whitchurch recording their second win of the season by 51 runs.