Devon Second XI West E

Whitchurch seconds v Abbotskerswill thirds

WHITCHURCH Seconds started life back in the basement with a fine performance against Abbotskerswell Thirds.

Before the start of the match, there was a minute's silence to remember founder member David Gordon.

Whitchurch lost the toss and were invited to bat first. Dunne and Alford saw off the new ball on a pitch that misbehaved with many balls keeping low.

A total of 42 had been added for the first wicket when Dunne was bowled by Dean. Barriball soon followed but Rob Bone looked comfortable.

A competitive total in excess of 170 looked on the cards, but after Alford fell for 40 runs, proved hard to come by. Abbots' bowling was varied and difficult to get away on the slow pitch. Dean took 3 for 40 and Cartwright 2 for 11. Tamblin and Poole added 35 for the sixth wicket, but Whitchurch ran out of steam, being bowled out in the last over for 134.

It was imperative that Whitchurch got a good start and they did just that as Towl had Wright caught in the gully by Bone in the first over. Towl bowled an excellent first spell and was backed up by Poole. With the ball swinging, Abbots struggled to make headway, with only wily skipper Rose able to score any boundaries.

At 88 for 4 the game changed with a superb run out effected by Poole, seeing the dismissal of Rose for 50. Towl returned and added a couple more wickets, claiming three in all. Tamblin chipped in with 2 for 31, but the final word was left to Poole, who trapped Rich in front to claim his third wicket and victory for Whitchurch by 28 runs.

The difference between the two sides was the discipline in the field. Whitchurch's bowling and fielding being excellent.