Both Ashburton senior XI’s had weekends to put behind them as they both came up short in their run chases.
Having lost the toss, Dartington & Totnes chose to bat in a bid to make use of a dry turning wicket. Tom Durman bowled the dangerous Bertus Loots for just 4 to get the Ashes off to a flying start. But that was as good as it got as Matt Hickey (40) and Australian overseas Elliot Miller (57) put on 101 for the second wicket. At 115-1, D&T were looking at a hefty first innings score. Dom Durman had other ideas as he dislodged the pair and along with Kalon Veale (11), Harry Baxondale (5) and keeper Alex Winch (first ball) to finish with 5-23 from his 9 overs. Will Coon spun his way through the middle to claim 3/25 as the visitors ended their 45 overs on 193 for the loss of 9 wickets. 44 extras didn’t help the cause (b 2, lb 8, w 32, nb 2)
The Ashes reply got off to a flyer with Lloyd White taking 39 from 50 balls, but Hicky removed him caught behind and then dislodged Tom Durman (1), and Dan Coles (6) to finish with 3/19 from his 9 overs and left the hosts in serious trouble at 59/4. Loots grabbring Tristan Wakefield for four, the other wicket to fall. Skipper Ash Berry was joined by Martin Causey and the pair put on 74 to swing the balance of the game. It was game on. Berry reached his half century just after Causey had departed for 20, run out by Baxendale.
By doing so the Darts had opened up and end and the Ashes last 5 batsmen only made 2 runs between them as Loots and Baxendale mopped up the tail. Berry stranded on 52 not out to leave the Chargers 37 runs short.
Skipper Berry reflected: "A frustrating day as we gifted them 35+ runs in sundries which made a difference. Credit to Harold and Darts though, as they bowled well as a unit. We'll go away and work on our areas of opportunity and will be ready for a good game against Bridestowe”
Dartington & Totnes 193-9 (E Miller 57, M Hickey 40, extras 44; D Durman 5-22, W Coon 3-35), Ashburton 156 (A Berry 52no, L White 39, extras 32; M Hickey 3-19, B Loots 3-23, H Baxendale 3-31). Dartington (19pts) bt Ashburton (7) by 37 runs.
1st XI scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2904376
The 2nd fell 115 short when visiting Plympton CC 3rd XI. Wickets were hard to come by as Paul Hamilton (58), Ed Degg (93) and Jason Degg (53*) piled up the runs. 293 to be exact. It could have been more if Robin Lambert (3-35) hadn’t been so economical in the middle overs. Kev Nicholls continued his good form with 73 not out – carrying his bat after opening the batting, following up the 93 not out in last weeks win. Jake Pascoe cracked his highest score for the 2nd to date – 33 which included 5 fours and one 6. Andy Harvey weighed in with 39 which included 8 fours as Ashes closed on 179 from their 45 overs.
2nd XI scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2905979
Plympton 295-6 (E Degg 92, P Hamilton 58, J Degg 57; R Lambert 3-35, J Crouch 2-76), Ashburton 179-6 (K Nicholls 74no, J Pascoe 33, A Harvey 39; J Degg 2-41). Plympton (18pts) bt Ashbuton (7) by 116 runs.