Post date: May 3, 2015 12:12:39 PM
With rain setting in across the county on the opening day of the Devon Cricket League, the Dartmoor derby between Whitchurch and Bridestowe was the only game to reach completion in C(West). BCC captain Mark Butler won the toss and elected to bowl first on a reasonably hard track given the conditions.
Tom and Dan Fogerty opened the bowling, as they did for much of last year, and they both found some early success. After some sweet striking, in a quick-fire 22, captain Billy Barriball was the first to go, edging Tom to the safe hands of Phil Hatton at first slip. Dan then got in on the act by removing Towl, caught at second slip after a juggle by Tom. Number 3 Charlie Barriball was then dropped to a difficult chance at cover and went on to play some expansive strokes to move the score along quickly. Tom (2-29) picked up another wicket before the first bowling change was made as on came new man Nazir Khan. He started a little shakily with a few short balls which were well put away by Sherrell. He soon settled in though, and removed the dangerous Barriball, who was caught behind for 25. Whitchurch hit back and the score raced past 100 after Lavis and then Khan were both hit for two sixes in an over. Khan then got his man again though, bowling Sherrell (31) with one which turned through the gate. Barry Down (2-9) came on and picked up a couple of useful wickets thanks to stunning catches from Chris Lavis and Pat Ewen in the infield. Nigel Barriball provided some lower order resistance, helping the ball to the boundary nicely on several occasions before he fell to Down. Khan (5-41) finished the innings in his final over, picking up an lbw and then bowling Sambells first ball to cap a fine first spell for BCC. That left the Wayfarers bowled out for 147 with plenty of overs remaining, meaning that Bridestowe would certainly be the happier of the two sides at the halfway stage.
Going straight back out before tea, the Bridestowe chase got off to a shaky start, with the home side opting to open the bowling with spinner Kerswill after the success of Khan and Down. In the second over, Kerswill found the bottom edge of Tom Fogerty on the cut, and a good catch was taken by the keeper. Barry Down and Phil Hatton steadied the ship nicely though, Phil particularly was able to punish any loose deliveries to the boundary. It took a fantastic catch by Nigel Barriball, who ran back from mid-on to just in front of the boundary to take it over his shoulder, to remove him for 28. Mark Fogerty came in at number four and worked the ball into the gaps and kept the score ticking with Down until the tea break. Soon after tea, Fogerty cut the ball straight to point off spinner Bone (2-25). Khan was soon gone too to the same bowler after another superb catch, this time by Kerswill at short-leg. With the score at 92-4, BCC were still favourites, but the home side had done well to fight their way back into the game. Despite some false strokes by both batsman, James Ewen and Down were then able to accelerate and run well between the wickets to take the visitors close to the winning target. Ewen (31*) hit Sambells for a couple of fours and a six to prompt a last roll of the dice from Whitchurch. Kerswill and Barriball returned for one last go but the first win of the season was soon notched up for Bridestowe through a single which left Down 49*. His patient innings included some crunching drives, and anchored the chase superbly. It must be mentioned that the game was played in great spirits, and both young sides were a credit to their club. With no other games finishing in C(West), Bridestowe 1XI sit top of the division, next up are Babbacombe at home.
Whitchurch 147-10 (4 points) lost to Bridestowe 148-4 (20 points) by 6 wickets.