Devon seconds E West Bovey Tracey v Whitchurch seconds WHITCHURCH once again lost the toss and were invited to bat by their hosts at Buckfastleigh. Hodge and Alford gave Whitchurch the perfect start though, seeing off the new ball and moving the scoreboard along well. At drinks, Whitchurch was still without loss of a wicket and had the platform to post a challenging total. Hodge departed for 35 after the partnership had passed 100, dragging on a wide delivery from Senior. Alford continued and completed his half century, before eventually falling for 72. Whitchurch lost their way a bit and it was left to Ben Hodge and Tamblin to push the total towards 200 for the maximum bowling points - a target which was only achieved in the penultimate over. A profitable last over meant Whitchurch closed on 216-6, with Tamblin 31 not out. Probably only a par score and not as many as would have been hoped for at the halfway stage. The Bovey reply was aided by some wayward bowling and poor fielding. Early chances went down and a proliferation of wides made the captain's job a difficult one. Northey (2-45) made the first breakthrough, before father and son Senior added 40 for the second wicket. The only catch to stick was taken by skipper Wallace off Ben Hodge. Harry Senior batted aggressively for 27, with his father making 29. At 122-4, the game was evenly poised. However, Whitchurch could not find any discipline in the bowling. Partridge (51no) and Taylor (52no) kept their side ahead of the run rate and ultimately saw their side home to victory with 21 balls remaining. The six dropped catches, 28 wides and 39 extras proving the difference in a tight game.