Devon E

Whitchurch v Uplyme and Lyme Regis

THE league fixture setter must have been feeling particularly uncharitable to make Whitchurch do the 145 mile round trip to face top of the table Uplyme in August.

The match started well with skipper Hall winning the toss. Thom was soon out, well caught at square leg by Powell off Kerswell.

Whitchurch bowled well throughout, but Kerswell especially so, as he ripped through his 13 overs bowling 9 maidens and conceding only 9 runs.

After 20 overs, Uplyme were 46-1, which would soon become 49-4. Tamblin held one back to deceive Norman (32) and have him stumped by Credicott. Caddy then followed, skewing a leg side full toss that should have been hit into Dorset to the hands of Bone at point.

Batey (45) and A R Caddy (65) counterattacked, adding 92 for the fifthh wicket. Caddy out, superbly caught by Sherrell at long on.

Whitchurch hung in there and kept fighting. Bowlers Tamblin (2-64), Billy Barriball (3-59) and Bone (1-9) kept Uplyme to 206-8 — a chaceable total. Especially pleasing for the visitors was to concede only one wide in the whole innings.

In reply, Whitchurch lost skipper Halll – the ball spitting out of the pitch, on to the end of the bat handle and in to the hands of short leg. Credicott and Powell eased Whitchurch along, blunting the threat of the new ball.

After 20 overs, Whitchurch were ahead of the game when Credicott fell for 32. The Barriball brothers set about chasing down the total Billy batted sensibly and punished the bad ball on his way to 51. Charlie remained steadfast for 29 not out.

A quick burst from Meadows and Whitchurch were still in the game. However, the falling of the seventh wicket, saw Whitchurch settle for what they had.

Closing on 151-8, Whitchurch secured a losing draw and nine valuable points against the league leaders. Once again a commendable effort for this young and promising side.