Devon seconds F

Lewdown thirds v Yelverton thirds

YELVERTON thirds made the short trip to second placed Lewdown on an overcast day in Lewdown with the home side winning the toss and electing to bat.

Clive Marais was out early with the score on 12 when he was caught by Jon Smith off Cameron Dawe for 8. Wayne Pearce soon followed for 4 when he was smartly caught by Matt Smith off the bowling of Ben Spear (29-2).

Harry Williams was joined by Martin Squire and they proceeded to add 80 for the third wicket before Williams was caught by Dan Cooper of Jon Smith's bowling for a fine 46 (109-3). Smith then bowled Tom Pearce for 2 (121-4).

Tony Geering then had to retire hurt when on 2 and was replaced by Sam Spry and with Squire took the score to 171 before Spry chopped one onto his stumps off the bowling of Ian Dawe when on 30. The next over saw Dawe take a difficult catch off his son Cameron's bowling to remove Squire for an excellent 71 at 172-6.

In the last seven overs Yelverton took three more wickets and Lewdown added a further 34 runs in light drizzle to finish on 206-9 off their 45 overs.

Yelverton's reply was delayed due to the persistent drizzle, which resulted in the loss of nine overs leaving a revised target of 165 off 36 overs.

A fine opening partnership between Brian Spear and Lee Johns finally came to an end in the 11th over when Spear was bowled by Sam Spry for 18 (48-1).

Sandy Ralph soon followed for 7 bowled by Tom Hughes for 7 (65-2).

Yelverton needed 92 after 20 overs should the rain come again, and when it did return after 21 overs they were on 85-2 and 12 shy of the required score at that point.

Thankfully only one more over was lost and this meant they still needed 75 off the last 14 overs to win with Johns and Jon Smith at the wicket.

In the 25th over Johns was caught off the bowling of Spry for a fine 42. Paul Farnham joined Smith and they saw Yelverton home with over fours overs to spare, Smith completing his 50 with the four that won the match and Farnham 22 not out. A win by 7 wickets for Yelverton.

Yelverton bowling figures: I Dawe 8-2-34-3, C Dawe 9-0-33-2, B Spear 8-1-31-2, D Cooper 7-0-35-0, J Smith 9-0-28-2 and D Farnham 4-0-35-0

Lewdown bowling figures: A Vernon 5-2-22-0, N Smith 5-0-36-0, S Spry 7-1-23-2, C Marais 7-1-35-0, T Hughes 4-0-20-1, T Pearce 2-0-12-0 and J Marais 0.2-0-6-0.