Devon League

Whitchurch v Kenn

NO one in the crowd on a glorious afternoon at Whitchurch House left early, as the first team served up their third nail biting finish in four outings this season.

Unfortunately they were once again on the wrong end of the result but there is room for optimism from their performances.

Kenn won the toss and asked Whitchurch to bat on what looked like a typical Whitchurch bowlers graveyard. And so it proved.

Wilson and Gayden bowled a tight line, but wickets were only acquired through frustration and excellence in the field – Bone being superbly caught in the gully by Ballinger.

Gayden bowled through 13 overs with 1-35 – a remarkable effort given the conditions. Standing on 54-2 at the half way point, Whitchurch needed to press on and Credicott and Powell did just that raising the 100 in the next seven overs.

Powell had made 30 when he top edged Chatum. Credicott marching past 50 was then joined by Barriball and the runs continued to flow.

Maximum batting points were achieved with 5 overs to go and Credicott brought up his well deserved century off the next ball. He would go on to carry his bat throughout the innings to be 115 not out. Barriball made a quick fire 40, as Whitchurch posted 231-4. A reasonable effort after a slow start, but probably only a par score for the day.

In reply, Whitchurch's bowlers were unable to dominate, with Kenn getting a solid start. Chatum was bowled by Towl for 19 and then Ballinger perished attempting a run off a misfield.

Kenn skipper Murfin set about the Whitchurch attack with gusto. He smashed five sixes and 11 fours in a knock of 85. When he was caught in the deep by Nigel Barriball, the game turned.

Kenn kept pressing towards their target but lost regular wickets along the way. Towl with 3-53, Charlie Barriball, 2-18 and Macrae, 2-24 the wicket takings. Kenn were keeping up with the run rate though and even though they were nine wickets down kept driving towards their victory.

France slogged his way to 38, but it was left to Williams to score the winning runs with nine balls to spare.