Devon E

Whitchurch v Yarcombe and Stockland

EXCELLENT work by the Whitchurch ground team meant that despite the heavy showers this game started on time.

Yarcombe had made the long journey with only 10 players and instantly set off in defensive mood. Whitchurch batted first and a defensive field set.

Powell and Bone made a good start but both perished needlessly. When leading run scorer Billy Barriball departed soon after without troubling the scorers, Whitchurch needed to rebuild.

Charlie Barriball hit a quick-fire 28, but at 79-4, it was Credicott and Watson that restored order. Together they added 92 for the fifth wicket in good time, both completing deserved half centuries.

A quick cameo from Meadows (36 not out) meant that Whitchurch could declare on 247 with five overs to go. Billy Reed was the pick of the Yarcombe bowlers with 4-39.

Whitchurch were soon among the wickets on the restart. Billy Barriball removing both openers with fewer than 30 on the board. Sambells then took a good running catch off Vernon to remove Rich and the writing was on the wall. Only Mitcham (23) and Orpin (25no) provided any resistance as Whitchurch romped towards victory.

Two wickets for Bone and one for Sambells followed, but the coup de grace was left to Sambells, who closed out the Yarcombe innings with a hat trick. This is Whitchurch's fifth win from seven games and leaves then well placed in the division.