Devon seconds D East

Kenn seconds v

Bridestowe seconds

WEEK four in the season brought a trip to Kenn CC which was looking its best on a warm, sunny and humid day.

Winning the toss, skipper Lee Jutson decided that Bridestowe would bowl first in conditions which looked like helping the swing bowlers.

The regular opening pair of Jutson and Shaw both showed great control of the swinging ball, each bowling four maidens in their nine over spells. Jutson proved to be more expensive, giving away 13 runs whilst Shaw leaked 11.  The difference was in wickets — opener Tyrell fell to the pressure coming from both ends by trying to force Juston through mid-on only to be smartly caught by Ewen fielding close in.

This brought the dangerous left-hander Koeller to the crease. With two more wickets falling to Jutson, Bridestowe were looking for an early finish as Kenn crawled to 27 for 3 at the end of the 18th over. The only worry was that hard hitting Koeller was still at the crease, having been dropped three times, twice from the bowling of Shaw, who was once again luckless in an impressive spell.

With Dale Harris, debutant Holliday and Buzz Brimicombe all bowling neatly, drinks at half way saw Kenn with less than 50 runs on the board. 

After drinks, Koeller rebuilt with the impressive youngster Will Shanks and gradually increased the scoring rate, hitting anything not pitched up hard through mid wicket. As the total climbed with no wickets coming, Jutson turned to Ewen to introduce some loopers which only led to the run rate increasing further and the batsman increasing their confidence even more.

Neil Griffiths picked up a couple of wickets with his swing bowling, but Kenn continued to attack.

The introduction of Dave Jopling saw some control return to the bowling but by this time, Kenn were well on the attack and despite Koeller eventually running out of luck after a powerful 79, the remaining Kenn batsmen, especially Mason, worked with the perennial Shanks to power through to 194-8 at the close.

After tea, Bridestowe openers Batstone and Ewen walked to the middle to start the reply. From the first ball it was clear that it would be a tough ask to get close to the Kenn total, with openers Wonnacott and Mason swinging the ball dramatically and at pace in the balmy late May sunshine. 

Batstone then characteristically showed poise and maturity, playing each ball on its merits. At the other end, Ewen was swinging hard into the leg side and standing a long way down the track to try to combat Mason's pacey and aggressive attack at the other end.

Surviving numerous chances, it was eight overs in with 27 on the board before Batstone contrived to kick one into his stumps. Brimacombe strode out on the back of a good knock two weeks previously, but he also struggled with the high quality bowling. By the time he departed for 13 in the 18th over, the Kenn opening pair were not quite as threatening having tired after putting everything in to get early wickets.

Keiran Lee was caught at mid off early on to leave the visitors in a bit of trouble. Shaw also looked impatient initially and when Ewen's luck ran out on 48 with the total on 93, Griffiths needed to perform on his first appearance this season.

Shaw settled into a more controlled innings and Griffiths smashing anything loose, the scoring accelerated; when he departed on 29 and with Kenn seeming running out of bowling options, a glimmer of hope and expectation proliferated around the Millaton men.

Skipper Juston picked up where Griffiths had left and played the same foil to Shaw's growing confidence and classy stroke play. There was plenty of batting left when Jutson was adjudged adjacent and fell lbw to Connet for 8 with Harris, Holliday and Jopling all capable of seeing Bridestowe home. 

None were needed though, as Shaw passed 50 and hit the winning runs undefeated with Harris at the other end.

It makes it four wins in four for Bridestowe seconds, which secures their top table position.