Devon C West

Ashburton v Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH ended a run of three defeats with a win away to Ashburton. Whitchurch won the toss and decided to bowl first on a flat pitch.

Ashburton's innings did not start well as Sambells (1-36) bowled T Durman for 4.  Whitchurch started to lose a grip on the runs but Kerswell (1-34) and Bray (0-22) kept things tight for Whitchurch in the middle overs. Kerswell also picked up the key wicket of opener Mclellan for 45 as he looked set to up the pace in the last 20 overs.

Causey. who played a key innings of 69, fell to Bone (1-45) as he was caught on the boundary by Sambells. Ashburton's middle and lower order however began to score freely due to the platform set by the top three but B Barriball (2-33) picked up crucial wickets in the last 10 overs to slow down the run rate meaning the home side ended up on 212 after their 45 overs.

A short boundary to one side meant the visitors felt confident of reaching the target.

Whitchurch's run chase began slowly but Ashburton struggled to pick up wickets in the early stages as Jacobs and C Barriball looked very comfortable at the crease. The first wicket fell after a bowling change that saw T Durman (1-23) come into the attack as he got Barriball caught behind for 25.

It was another bowling change that brought about the second wicket as Churchill (1-9) had Jacobs with his first ball; a full toss that was hit straight to deep mid wicket. Smith, who came in at number three for the away side, pulled up with an injury and needed a runner but that did not seem to affect his ball striking as he and B Barriball had a match winning partnership as Smith smashed his way to 69 and the captain also reaching 50.

Barriball finally fell to end a partnership worth 104 as he was bowled by D Durman (1-23) to a ball that kept very low. Smith continued to crash the ball around but he finally fell when he was caught off the bowling of Rush (1-25).

Whitchurch only needed seven to win at this stage and T Sherrell hit two fours to win the game for the away side with five overs left.

Whitchurch picked up 18 valuable points with their victory as they look to climb back up the table. Ashburton left with a good 8 points from their loss. Whitchurch are home to Stoke Gabriel next week and will be looking to make it back to back wins.