Devon seconds

Whitchurch seconds v Plymstock thirds

DODGING the showers Whitchurch seconds enjoyed a thrilling low scoring game against Plymstock thirds at Whitchurch House.

Once again fielding a young team, Whitchurch showed considerable resilience to come back at Plymstock.

Batting first, Wallace was out in the first over followed shortly by Dunne. With Alford (9) unable to repeat his successes of the previous week Whitchurch were in trouble at 21-3. Megicks (4) and Venton (2) followed shortly as the Plymstock bowlers Ali (2-30) and Heath (3-16) demolished the upper order. At 30-5, Whitchurch were in serious trouble. Jackman (24) and Powell (4) consolidated and with extras piling up they pushed the score up to 68. Then followed another flurry of wickets as the home team slumped to 70-8. The tail wagged briefly with Poole (9) and Webber (15) enjoying some luck. A total of 107 seemed to be too small to defend.

After tea Plymstock lost their opener Ali for 1 and Dyer (7) followed shortly after. Poole (1-14) and Hall (0-15) bowled well together and restricted the run rate.

At 70-3 Plymstock were cruising along; Ben Hodge (4-30) once again caused the opposition havoc as he and Jackman (1-15) ripped through the middle order.

Within a few overs Plymstock though had slumped to 76-6 and anxious eyes were turning to the scoreboard.

The fielding was excellent as Whitchurch made Plymstock fight for every run. Plymstock captain David Grant (not out 33) proved to be their saviour as he protected the tail end and nudged his team over the line scoring at fewer than two runs per over.