Devon E

Whitchurch firsts v

Topsham St James

TOPSHAM batted first on a hot sunny afternoon and must have been looking for a good score on a firm pitch and fast outfield. It was not to be as they faced a Whitchurch bowling attack firing on all cylinders.

Josh Vernon bowled exceptionally well (1-19) but it was Darren Sambells returning to form with 4-39 who tore the heart out of the Topsham batting. He was ably assisted by Josh Towl who bowled seven overs for a miserly 14 runs.

The fielding was outstanding throughout.

Topsham's openers Jeary (21) and Kassan (9) found it difficult to break through the close field and crept along to 30 runs off the first 13 overs before Vernon ripped through Kassan's defences.

Bone (2-26) whipped out two quick wickets as Topsham slumped to 50-3 with nearly half the overs gone.

After drinks a sense of urgency crept into the batting and Sambells took full advantage clearing out four further wickets including that of the resilient opener Jeary. Miller coming in at number nine knocked up a quick 16 but a final total of 130 was a long way short of a good score.

After tea Towl fell quickly but Powell (16) and Watson (53 not out) calmed any nerves.

Watson's fifty was his fourth in a row equalling the club record for consecutive fifties in league cricket. Appropriately it was a twelfth boundary four by Watson that sealed the win at just over the half way point of the innings.

The 20 points set up a key promotion battle against Whimple next week. Both teams are separated by one point in second and third spot. Having recently beaten the league leaders Whitchurch approach the game full of confidence.