Devon D?division Honiton v Whitchurch SEVERAL first team Whitchurch players failed to capitalise on the chance of beating bottom team Honiton. After a long journey the visitors lost the toss and were asked to bat. With a game reduced to 42 overs a side Whitchurch lost two early wickets before Martin Credicott (43) and Billy Barriball (31) put on 62 for the third wicket. A good total seemed a reasonable prospect even with Barriball well caught on the boundary just as he seemed to be set for a big score. Josh Towl played steadily for a good 22 but apart from a brief flurry from Ben Hodge (15) no one else contributed much to the score book. A total of 137 appeared to be below par even on a damp track. Billy Barriball (1 for 37) and Mark Kerswill (3-19) put real pressure on the Honiton batsmen and at 51 for 5 after 14 overs the game was very much in the balance. Kerswill taking a stunning one handed catch to dismiss Meadows was a particular highlight. McSweeney was ominously set for the home team, taking just 3 off his first 20 deliveries but not appearing to be in too much trouble. The first change bowlers for Whitchurch did not present too much of a threat and allowed Honiton to run away with the game. In the end McSweeney (45 not out) and Ingram (40 not out) saw the home team gain only their second win of the season with a comfortable 16 overs to spare. Whitchurch could only ponder what might have been had they gone with their strongest side. Feniton visit Whitchurch next week with only one win under their belt so another opportunity to gain points beckons. n This Saturday Whitchurch 1st XI are home to Feniton; seconds away to Chagford; and this Sunday the ladies' team are home to Topsham; Tuesday TEL away to Bridestowe/Okehampton.

Devon E West Whitchurch seconds v Abbotskerswell thirds WITH more than half of the regular second team supplementing the firsts, this was a spirited effort. After a rain delay had reduced the match to 41 overs a side, Whitchurch were asked to bat first. They were soon in trouble on 5 for 2. A partnership of 133 then ensued between Bob Powell and John Ord. The visitors mixed and matched their bowlers but could not find a way to make a breakthrough. Powell completed a deserved half century and was finally out for 82. Ord finished unbeaten but was unable to complete his own half century, closing on 48 not out. Lightowlers with 2 for 20 was the pick of the Abbots' bowlers, as Whitchurch closed on 163 for 5. The Whitchurch bowlers also found wickets hard to come by. At 49 for 1, the match turned back in Whitchurch's favour, as club chairman Gavin Hall tore through the middle order. His 5 for 30 reduced Abbots to 108 for 6. Chief run scorer for Abbots was their skipper Beasant with 35. However, the depleted Whitchurch side then ran out of bowlers. Brothers Connor and Elliot Adams added 48 unbeaten for the eighth wicket to see their side home.