Devon seconds D West

Whitchurch seconds v Ipplepen thirds

THIS game was promising to be a tight knit affair until rain brought an early close.

With rain forecast, Whitchurch asked their visitors to bat first. Andy Hall bowled a tidy spell without wickets for reward, his nine overs going for just eight runs. At the other end Sambells got the breakthrough as Ipplepen struggled to get the scoreboard moving.

With the opening bowlers seen off, Crocker (66) and Cowdrey (44) took the opportunity to build a partnership. Whitchurch's back up bowlers were way below par and allowed Ipplepen to get away.  

Exactly 100 had been added for the second wicket when Hodge made the breakthrough.

Thereafter, apart from the occasion boundary, Ipplepen did not capitalise on the poor bowling.

Then Hodge cleaned bowled three batsmen with Tamblin taking the other two wickets, supported by a sharp stumping from Rob Powell as Ipplepen closed on 177 for 8.

The target should have been gettable for Whitchurch, especially with a short boundary. Credicott (26) and Alford (24 not out) making steady progress.

With 20 overs to be bowled to constitute a game, Whitchurch tried to ensure they were ahead of the run rate.  With 17 overs bowled the rain came and the captains agreed that a draw was a fair result.