Devon D Clyst St George v Whitchurch WHITCHURCH'S run of form ran into the buffers when they were soundly beaten by relegation haunted Clyst St George. The defeat leaves Whitchurch looking nervously over their shoulders with a difficult trip to Filleigh this week. Although it was a beautiful sunny, breezy day a lunchtime storm drenched the square and outfield at Clyst. The match start was delayed for just short of two hours to allow the pitch to dry. After winning the toss Whitchurch asked Clyst to bat. Clyst captain Ferro (66) adapted to the conditions, sensibly giving no chances. Uncharacteristically the first overs from Billy Barriball (1 for 78) were somewhat wayward as he struggled with the slope and conditions. Kerswill (0-17) and Bone (1-19) put the breaks on and after 20 overs Clyst had only made 81. Crucially they had nine wickets in hand. When Ferro lobbed a simple catch to Alford Welsh (37) came to the crease and the game changed dramatically. The last ten overs in their reduced allocation saw Clyst add another 100 runs; May (48) being particularly brutal on anything bowled short. Unfortunately for Whitchurch he was given those opportunities. Even so, a total of 183 was within reach on this relatively small ground with the pitch drying out nicely in the sun. With the notable exception of Rob Bone (51) too many of the batsmen saw the need to score quickly before adapting to the circumstances. With every catch going to hand and sticking Whitchurch quickly slumped to 55-7. Bone just blocked everything on target and harvested the occasional poor ball. The arrival of the experienced Nigel Barriball (31) had the potential to change the game. The two of them doubled the score with some sensible cricket. Quick singles were there for the taking and the two showed how to build an innings. Unfortunately they had been left with too big a task. A freak delivery from Mollins saw Bone bowled and shortly after Barriball demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, walking after the faintest of touches to the keeper; Clyst applauded him as he left the field. Little resistance followed and Whitchurch were all out for 132 with only four points to show for their efforts.