Whitchurch Wayfarers Second XI v Abbotskerswell XI

AFTER a mauling at Cornwood, Whitchurch Wayfarers seconds XI were looking to patch their wounds — they more than recovered with a fine performance against a depleted Abbotskerswell XI.

Somewhat surprisingly Abbots opted to field. Morgan (two for 27) and Dean (0-28) both opened with good spells and Hodge fell to a good delivery from Morgan. Alford (18) and Chappell (76) then put together a strong partnership and were troubled only by some erratic calling between the wickets. After being becalmed for a couple of overs, Alford played across the line and this brought Tom Jackman to the crease. He started somewhat shakily but once settled he played a wonderful innings.

Classic straight drives on both sides of the wicket coupled with superb sweeps brought him 13 boundaries and his maiden fifty. A quickfire 29 from Towl pushed the score along to 261 when the overs ran out; Jackman finishing on a wonderful 83 not out.

All the signs were that this would prove to be too big a total and so it proved.

The second innings commenced with Cartwright (41) and Beasant (16) playing with considerable caution against the opening attack of Dan Poole (0-28) and Tim Jackman (0-18).

With his pace and bounce Poole was unlucky not to get any wickets. Jackman's nagging accuracy troubled both batsmen as they frequently failed to break through the tight field settings.

Ben Hodge was brought on at the first change.

Immediately Beasant hit out and was well caught low down by Alford fielding close in.

After that it was distinctly one way traffic as one batsman after another failed to deal with Hodge's flight and spin.

He snared 7 wickets in a remarkable spell; six of his victims scoring but one run between them. He finished with figures of 6.4-1-8-7. From 46 without loss Abbots collapsed to 80 all out.