Devon E

Upottery v Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH returned with a richly deserved haul of 19 points. The win places Whitchurch equal second and in the hunt for promotion.

Dan Poole (1-41) took a wicket in the first over but a partnership of 86 for the second wicket between G Kennard (24) and R Pulman (54) was a cause for concern for the visitors. Rob Bone (3-38) made the breakthrough in the 19th over and four wickets swiftly followed as the middle order collapsed. At 127-6 Upottery looked like falling well short of a par score. Drew (60) and J Kennard (43) frustrated the Whitchurch bowlers to put on 86 runs for the seventh wicket.

Hodge and Meadows both failed to find their length and were punished by the two batsmen.

Martin Credicott and Billy Barriball stemmed the flow of runs and both made useful wickets as the overs ran out for Upottery.

The target of 228 to win was not enough.

A marked reduction in the number of extras was also a sign of improvement over the earlier weeks of the season. Bob Powell (35) and Andy Wallace (66) put Whitchurch in a commanding position. Both played calmly and fluently scoring at the required four an over. When Powell finally went to a good catch Watson came in and scored a breezy 15 setting the stage for Billy Barriball (54) to launch the winning assault. Partnered by Josh Meadows (30 not out) the pair put on 65 runs in six overs. Between them four sixes and 10 fours sailed over the boundary as the Upottery bowling suffered and the fielders wilted.

n Future fixtures:- Whitchurch firsts home to Yarcombe, second XI away to Dartington; Sunday ladies away to Sandford, U11s home to Marjon; Tuesday, Tamar Evening League away to Callington.