Devon E

Kenn v Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH went into their final game of the season with a 12 point cushion over their nearest rivals Whimple. In the win/lose format this meant that all was still to play for. During August both teams had been doing their best not to be promoted with scratchy wins, lost games and points thrown away.

The final weekend proved to be more of the same. Whimple travelled to Bridestowe knowing that they had to win. Whitchurch crossed the county to Kenn knowing that eight points would see them safe.

Kenn batted first and almost immediately Whitchurch dropped opening bat Gosling. Towl (4-23) bowled really well and sent the top of the order back to the pavilion for the princely sum of 15 between them. More importantly, Whitchurch now had two more points and the demands on Whimple were rising.

Just after Towl had finished his spell Gosling was dropped again. He and Gaydon (18) put on a useful stand of 59 runs. At 105-5 things were not looking too rosy for Whitchurch before Darren Sambells came on and took three wickets. Although the tail wagged a bit Kenn were bowled out for 174 giving Whitchurch maximum bowling points. Gosling was last man out for the days top score of 81.

At this stage the wonders of technology meant that Whitchurch knew that Whimple had been bowled out for 146 so that, even were they to win, they could not now catch Whitchurch.

This may have impacted on the Whitchurch batting. The second innings was not a thing of beauty.

In the first over Ben Powell went for a duck and only three batsmen and extras managed to make it into double figures. The bowling was tight with little leeway. Mistakes were punished and the batsmen were culpable.

Credicott (21) and Billy Barriball (63) were the only ones who got on top of the bowling. Both of them dealt mainly in boundaries; Billy being particularly harsh on Wills (3-60). In the end Billy hit 11 fours and a six. Unfortunately, no-one managed to stay with him. From the relative safety of 122-5 with more than half the overs remaining Whitchurch collapsed with barely a whimper to 135 all out.

It was of no matter – Whitchurch end the season promoted. Babbacombe were the runaway winners but, with nine wins to their credit, Whitchurch had made good use of the new format and were deserved runners up. They had strength in depth with the batting and a good variety of bowling which proved too much for most sides.

Division E P W L T C Pts

Babbacombe 17 12 3 0 2 273

Whitchurch 17 9 5 1 2 248

Whimple 17 9 6 0 2 236

Kilmington 17 8 6 0 3 215

Topsham 17 8 8 0 1 210

Kentisbeare 17 7 7 1 2 202

Kenn 17 6 9 0 2 190

Bridestowe 17 5 8 0 4 178

Upottery 17 5 9 0 3 168

Yarcombe 17 3 11 0 3 137