Friendly

A SECOND pre-season friendly for Whitchurch was no easier than the first. A strong Tavistock side were going to provide stern opposition and so it proved. Batting first Tavistock quickly lost Churchill (9) who played down the wrong line to Kerswill (2 for 73). This proved to be a false dawn. The next wicket was not to fall for more than 100 runs as Gray (171) played an imperious innings ably assisted by Stevens (46).

While the bowling was more accurate in this match there were too many loose deliveries in most overs. Many of these disappeared to the boundary; the pair hit in excess of 20 boundaries and Gray launched successive sixes on two occasions. Kerswill returned to the attack and finally saw the end of Stevens' innings. Although Gray continued to punish anything short the other Tavistock batsmen tried to emulate the top order before settling in and finding the pace of the pitch not as easy as it looked from the boundary. Even so, Tavistock posed a commanding 305 in their allotted overs.

In reply, Whitchurch started breezily with the both Charlie Barriball (23) and Billy Barriball (63) undaunted by the pressure applied by Stevens (2-40) and Hutchins (2-72). Their form over the first 10 overs augured well for the season.

A couple of quick wickets brought Josh Towl (28) to the crease and he played a careful and measured innings. Unfortunately for Whitchurch he could not find a partner and the middle order was swept away by the greater accuracy of the Tavistock bowling. McGahey (3-13) and Milligan (2-26) did most of the damage.

There was a cameo innings from Kerswill (35) and a cluster of extras (48) as Tavistock sought to attack but the result was never in doubt and Tavistock deservedly won by a margin of 79 runs which probably flattered Whitchurch.