Devon seconds E West

Whitchurch seconds

v Shaldon seconds

ON a greasy wicket Whitchurch House ground was anything but a batsman's paradise but Andy Alford (31) continued his fine form batting with appropriate caution.

After the early loss of Tom Dunne (5), Andy Wallace (23) provided good support. The drinks break brought about the usual acceleration and the accompanying loss of wickets as Whitchurch slumped to 80-5; Woolnough (2-12) and Gallagher (2-20) doing the damage.  Ollie Macrae with a fine knock of 58 distinguished by eight boundaries ably supported by Tom Jackman (29) turned the game round. Their 76 proved a match winning partnership.

As Shaldon replied Whitchurch got off to a great start with a superb one-handed catch by Andy Wallace off the bowling of Neil Folley. This set the tone for the fielding and the young side put in an excellent performance. Not everything went Whitchurch's way. Swift (27) and Waggett (48) put together a dangerous partnership until Ben Hodge (3 -38) deceived Waggett. 

The game was finely balanced as Larkman (19) and Woolnough (20) started to build innings before they fell to Hodge. Woolnough's quickfire scoring was causing concern as the total went past 150 but he was then well caught by Alford.

Shaldon only fielding 10 players meant that the total was a touch too far and Dan Poole picked up the last wicket with Sambells stumped after a period of dogged resistance. This win puts Whitchurch into second position.

Whitchurch fixtures:  Saturday, Whitchurch firsts home v Uplyme; Sunday Ladies home v Topsham; Monday U13s home Yelverton; Tuesday, TEL home Lewdown; Wednesday U15s home Yelverton.