Match report 29.6.24
After 3 defeats on the trot, Ashburton sheepishly returned to the Varwell after a trouncing away at Ivybridge last weekend. The Chargers were up against relegation contenders Plymouth 2nd XI and if there was a time to prove that they did not deserve to be joining them, it was now.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, with Ryan May and George Yabsley sharing the new cherry. The control of Yabsley and the explosiveness of May brought about a solid start for Ashburton. They managed to restrict Plymouth to 44-2 from the first 15 overs, before Bittu - which would be his final time playing in an Ashburton shirt - came on to bowl. It took a while before he was able to make a breakthrough however, which came in the 25th over, sneaking one through the defence of J Toms, who was looking dangerous.
Then the wickets started to flow. Bittu picked up another that same over, and with the metronomic assistance of Chris Yeo, who went for less than 1.5 runs an over for his 9-over spell as well as picking up a wicket of his own, managed to pin down the Plymouth’s middle order.
At 107-5, the away side needed something special from their tail. Unfortunately for them, seam bowler Matt Coon stood in their way. He very nearly picked up a Plymouth wicket for every over of his spell, and with Matt Churchill also contributing to their decline, the visitors were bowled out for 140.
After tea, as far as Ashburton's opening partnership was concerned, it was a tale of two ends. Bittu wanted to bow out in style, and did just that, smashing the ball to all corners of the ground. His half century came within the seventh over and took him just 26 deliveries. Meanwhile, Yabsley stood at the other end on 3.
But after Bittu left Varwell Field for the last time, dismissed by a smart catch at mid-wicket, Yabsley too managed to help himself to a couple of boundaries before departing for 22.
Ashburton’s middle order wobbled, with young pups Jack Warren, Alex Hayman and Harry Bannister given an opportunity to seal a result which by now everyone knew to be a foregone conclusion. But they were picked off, and it was left to the experience of skipper Lloyd White and Matt Churchill to ensure the 20 points for the home side, 6 wickets down and with 22 overs to spare.
A comfortable victory for Ashburton and a welcome one at that after their recent run of form. They will be looking to do the same again next week to another relegation contender: Sandford.
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Ashburton 2nd XI hosted Plympton 3rd XI at the Varwell field, with a strong side present, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat, writes Jack Warren. Skipper Phil Pascoe and AJ West opened the batting, putting on 45 for the first wicket, a sharp run out to remove West. Marcus West in at 3 got the score up to 104, where Pascoe (46) was the wicket to fall. West (37) followed shortly after, leaving the score 112-3. The quick-scoring middle order of Matt Partridge (34), Russ Lacey (42) and Greg Robinson (10) moved the total up to an above-par 215-6 at the end of the 40 overs. The bowlers that shone for Plympton were Darcey Boote (2-42) as well as Sean Mortimer (1-19)
The Plympton opening partnership didn’t last long, with Rob Lambert making the breakthrough, the score 1-1. Luke Oxenham (27) and Darcey Boote (18) recovered well taking the score to 42-2, Oxenham the first of four batters to fall to Russ Lacey. Wickets at regular intervals meant Plympton’s chase never got going, with Rafiqul Haque (27) the only other notable run scorer in a total of 99 all out. The wicket takers for Ashburton were Lacey (4-21), Partridge (2-23), AJ West (2-8), Lambert (1-13) and young George Colwill who took his first league wicket for the club.
Captain Pascoe’s thoughts, “An amazing afternoon, it went well from the start, a good foundation set to the halfway point. 200 plus was always going to be a good challenge for the opposition. Shout out to Rusty for 4 wickets and George Colwill for his first 2nd team wicket. So much fun and a great 20 points.”
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFNOtRuImS4
Ashburton Sunday XI hosted Barton in the south devon cricket league, writes AJ West. Having won the toss skipper AJ West elected to bowl
Opening the bowling for Ashburton was Rob Lambert (0 for 32) and Alex Hayman (0 for 23). With the barton opening pair getting off to a flyer a change of bowling was required with returning player Jake Bartram (0 for 26) bowling for the 1st time this season from one end and skipper AJ West from the other. AJ finally got the breakthrough Ashburton were hoping for by trapping O Shelton plumb in front for 49 (1 run short of both a 50 and a hundred partnership). After this, wickets began falling regularly throughout the innings, however Barton managed to keep scoring runs throughout aswell. A Wicket each for Bittu (1 for 9), George Colwill (1 for 14) and Steve Reynolds (1 for 17). Then two wickets for Jack Lewis (2 for 21) and Patrick McGovern (2 for 25). The visitors finished on 212 for 8 off their 35 overs.
To open the batting for Ashburton was AJ West and Jack Lewis hoping to build a steady base for the rest of the team. Unfortunately, Jack Lewis (5) got out in the 7th over leaving the hosts 20 for 1. AJ was next to follow having scored 30 and shortly followed by Alex Hayman (0). Nat Wood (3) was next to go bringing Bittu in to join Westy. Together they put on a 57-run partnership when Bittu was caught out on 32. Westy soon followed with 33. Ashburton then soon were all out losing 5 wickets for only 1 run. Ending on 129 all out.
After the game Captain AJ West said “Well done today all. We may not have won but everyone got some sort of game, which is the main thing. Wickets for George, Patrick, Jangles, Jack and Bittu. With 2 for both Patrick and Jack. Good partnership in the middle from Westy and Bittu both of who got 30+. Good fielding from everyone too (other than the easy one I dropped first over sorry guys). Hopefully everyone enjoyed it and we go again in 2 weeks time against South Devon at home.
Scorecard - Ashburton CC (play-cricket.com)
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