Devon seconds D West

Chelston v Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH returned to winning ways with an excellent all-round team performance.

Batting first Hodge, Alford and Cotter for Whitchurch moved the scoreboard along at a good pace. Alford then holed out to third man for 23. Cotter continued to play his shots and with Wallace the other end they added 69 for the third wicket.

Cotter completed his maiden league half century. Wallace showed a return to form making 32 before being cleaned bowled by Prentice (3 for 52).

Whitchurch then had a platform to build on and Downham and Powell capitalised. Downham mixed deft touches with lusty blows making 57 as 91 was added in good time. Powell then completed his half century off the last ball of the innings. Whitchurch posted 244 for 5.

In Chelston's reply Webster and Guest did not make life easy for the Whitchurch bowlers.

Sixty had been added for the first wicket when Tamblin deceived Guest as Northey held a fine catch at point. Hall and Tamblin bowled tightly in the middle overs, putting the pressure on Chelston's batsmen. Tamblin bowled a great spell with 2-23 off nine overs.

As the required rate approached 8 an over, captain Wallace set the field back.

Webster completed his half century but was then deceived by a Webber slower ball and pinned lbw. Webber (2 for 15) and Hodge then ripped through the middle order.

The hunt was then on for the vital bonus points. Downham moved one in to bowl Ibbotson, while Hodge showed a return to confidence with 4- 25. As the overs ran down, Chelston chased an extra batting point and this was their undoing as 3 wickets fell in the last three overs. A run out after some composed fielding from Tamblin saw Chelston all out for 169. Whitchurch won by 75 runs.

Credicott 149 in vain

Devon seconds D West

Whitchurch seconds v Bovey Tracey thirds

ONCE again Whitchurch's bowling and fielding let them down and cost them the game.

After failing to take a single wicket last week against leaders Chagford, Whitchurch elected to bowl first. Northey got an early breakthrough assisted by a catch at slip from Credicott, but chances had already been missed.

Wyatt Haines (26) and Pitman scored freely and capitalised on their 'lives' and some friendly bowling. Tamblin removed Wyatt-Haines as he unnecessarily chased a wide first ball.

Bovey skipper Green soon got his eye in and flayed the Whitchurch attack around the park. He completed a speedy half century before departing for 61. Bovey at this stage rattled along as seven an over.

None of the Whitchurch bowlers were able to exert any control and stem the flow of runs. The bowlers were mixed and matched but Pitman continued to bat with maturity and completed a deserved half century.

Bovey had maximum batting points in the bag before a mini Whitchurch fightback. Tamblin, Hodge and Northey took two wickets each as Bovey were dismissed for 263.

The Whitchurch reply was all about one man. Martyn Credicott batted selflessly and with great concentration, giving barely a chance.

Credicott dominated the early scoring completed his half century with only 63 on the board. Starling meanwhile had taken a couple of wickets.

Credicott and Powell added 56 for the fourth wicket with the latter a spectator for most of that partnership.

Macrae then joined Credicott and together they added 88 in quick time. Credicott completed his century and found an ally in Macrae who made 36. No other Whitchurch batsman was able to make double figures although the assistance of 31 wides helped Whitchurch along.

As the overs ticked by, Bovey ran out of bowlers, Credicott dominating and keeping his side in it. The return of Starling sealed the game for Bovey. He snared Credicott for 149 and soon after wrapped up the innings to finish with 4-25.

Whitchurch were dismissed for 240, losing by 23 runs. This was their third high score in as many weeks and yet they have failed to win any of them.