Devon division E

Whitchurch v Shaldon Optimists

WHITCHURCH first XI were beaten by promotion hopefuls Shaldon Optimists in a game that was closer than the scores suggest.

Batting first the home side lost two experienced batsmen early on to the tidy bowling of Woolnough (53-3). Ben Powell (23) and Charlie Barriball (45) steadied the team and put on 40 runs for the third wicket. When Ben went lbw to McKenna (36-4) the rest of the innings was a very mixed affair.

The Whitchurch batting had no one who made a really big contribution to give them a large total to defend. Freddy Frost scored 19 in typical flamboyant style but the biggest contributor by a large margin were extras with 50 runs and the equivalent of an extra four overs. A final total of 182 meant that the home team were going to have to perform wonders in the field.

Freddy Frost (56-1) and, in particular, Darren Sambells (50-3) gave Shaldon real concerns. After an opening partnership of 21 runs three quick wickets fell. Hopes ran high when Marc Kerswill (36-3) took two wickets in his second over including Blackburn on 28 who was looking dangerous having hit two quick sixes.

At 76 for 5 Shaldon knew they were in a fight. Couch (not out 65) who formed the backbone of the Shaldon recovery and he with Greenwood (not out 37) saw the visitors home with a few overs to spare with the highest partnership of the match.

Whitchurch face a grueling trip to Uplyme where they face a team that has only lost once all season.

n On Saturday Whitchurch firsts are away to Uplyme; the seconds are home to Chelston; on Sunday Whitchurch ladies are away to Bovey Tracey; on Tuesday the club have a friendly with Cornwall Over 50s.