Devon E

Whitchurch firsts v Uppottery

WHITCHURCH first XI continued their recent good form with a hard fought draw against close rivals Uppottery.

Uppottery were on the back foot from the start as both Towl (2-17) and Sambells (1-26) got among the openers. 16-3 after 10 overs was just the start Whitchurch wanted.

Rice (43) and Pullman (29) steadied the ship playing cautiously against some tight and accurate bowling. With a run-rate of barely three an over after 30 overs the need to accelerate brought both runs and wickets. Rice finally fell to a sharp catch by Kerswill but that brought in Broom (32) and Joyce (41) who rattled the score along. 180-9 appeared a reasonable target to chase.

At the half way stage in reply Whitchurch were ahead of the run-rate but had lost five wickets. Batsmen got started but then did not turn a good start into a match winning innings or partnership. Billy Barriball (35) looked the most likely as he punched his way along until well caught by Broom.

When Nigel Barriball (not out 31) joined Jez Stokes (26) Whitchurch needed 80 off 16 overs. The pair put on 45 and the game hung in the balance.

With Stokes unlucky to be caught the game was effectively over and Barriball shielded the tail-enders through the last four overs for a well earned draw.

The result edged Whitchurch further away from relegation worries.