1st XI Division C West

Whitchurch v Babbacombe

Whitchurch won by 36 runs.

WHITCHURCH Wayfarers faced Babbacombe at home last Saturday knowing they needed a win to open up the gap between themselves and the teams below them.

Whitchurch won the toss and elected to bat and although they lost opener Bone in the third over Billy Barriball and Smith settled down and got the home side off to a superb start.

Billy brought up his third half century in a row and when Smith fell for an excellent 42 the score was 118 for 2. That brought Charlie Barriball to the crease and the two brothers took it to the Babbacombe attack.

Their partnership of 114 took no time at all as Billy made it to his century in a superb innings from the Whitchurch captain that put his team in a commanding position. Charlie eventually fell for 48 caught at long on.

But his older brother continued to push the Wayfarers up towards the 300 mark. The skipper eventually fell for 143 and Ben Powell’s 30 not out put Whitchurch in command as they posted 318 from their 45 overs.

Whitchurch started brilliantly with the ball as well. Charlie Barriball with his tail up after smashing 48 got Brothwell and Pugh early and with Babbacombe 4-2 the game looked like it was all going towards the home side.

Matt Inch came in a four and took the attack to the home side’s bowlers knowing he had nothing to lose. He brought up his half century with the score now 64-2 whilst Loram looked to keep his wicket. Inch continued to smash the Whitchurch attack to all part of the ground but he eventually miss timed a ball of Billy Barriball and Sambells took a good catch at long on.

Inch made 97 from just 35 balls and with him dismissed Whitchurch’s nerves began to settle. Bone picked up three wickets in the middle overs to put Whitchurch in command but when Allcock came to the crease the game swayed again. Loram had just passed his half-century and was beginning to find his range and his partner, Allcock, was finding the fence at every attempt.

David Northey held his nerve and got the important wicket of Allcock who made 39 in quick time and when Charlie Barriball dismissed Loram the game was all but done. Charlie finished with superb figures of 4-36 as well as taking three catches in the field.

n Next week Whitchurch travel to Plymouth Civil Service and they will be hoping to put in a similar performance and climb the table.

TEL Drake Manor Cup

Whitchurch v Lifton

Whitchurch beat Lifton by 88 runs.

WHITCHURCH batted first and made a fast start.

Barriball and Witcher finding the boundaries regularly, but also looking to score off every ball with excellent running.

79 runs were scored in the opening partnership off just ten overs, until Westlake made a double breakthrough. First bowling Barriball for 46 and then Powell.

Witcher and Cotter continued to run well on a big ground, adding 50 for the 3rd wicket. Witcher dismissed by Pengelly for 49. Cotter went in the last over for 28, well caught at third man, as Whitchurch posted a challenging 149.

The Lifton reply started promisingly. Pengelly stroking the ball for a couple of majestic boundaries until Barriball enticed a fine edge and Powell took the catch.

After six overs, Lifton were right in the game.  However, the introduction of veteran Gavin Hall to the bowling attack swung the game firmly in Whitchurch’s favour.

Aided by excellent catches from Cotter, Northey, Barriball and Witcher, Hall tore through the Lifton middle order on his way to lifetime best figure of 6 for 16.

Poole chipped in with a couple of wickets as Lifton were all out for 61.

Devon League 2nd XI Division D West

Plymouth IV v Whitchurch 2nds

Whitchurch won by five wickets.

SUMMER finally came to the cricket season, as Whitchurch made the short journey into Plymouth.

Skipper Webber lost another toss but was not displeased when the hosts opted to bat. Watson and Khan (21) made a steady start but both were dismissed by Hall (2 for 31). Hancock and Hart batted sensibly, largely in the knowledge that their team’s hopes rested with them.

Whitchurch’s standards slipped a bit in the middle of the innings, though runs were hard to come by. With ten overs to go, Plymouth could have accelerated, but Whitchurch made the breakthrough. Hodge holding a ball back, which Hart walked past and was stumped for 47.

Hancock tried to press on and did complete his half century until he was well caught by Hall for 52.

The rest of the Plymouth batting was thin. Poole returning to take 3 for 4 in his second spell. Plymouth made 188 for 8 in their 45 overs.

The Whitchurch reply carried on from where they had left off last week. Ben Hodge continuing his fine form with 8 fours in his 38. He was supported by Wallace with 30. All the Whitchurch batsmen made solid contributions. Marais (19), Tilsley (20 and Macrae (37).

Only Hart (3 for 34) was able to contain the strokeplay as Whitchurch closed on their target. The victory was never really in doubt, though fine wickets were lost in the chase. The reliable pair of Powell (27) and Tamblin seeing the game to a conclusion.

n Future fixtures: Saturday 1st XI away Plymouth CS&R, 2nd XI home Cornwood IV; Sunday friendly PCO’s; Monday friendly Theale & Tilehurst;  Tuesday TEL home South Petherwin; Wednesday friendly Harrow Wayfarers.