Ashburton first team welcomed Paignton second team to The Varwell on a baking hot Saturday afternoon. Skipper Ash Berry won the toss and had little hesitation in opting to bat first. Openers Jake Pascoe and Lloyd White added 33 before White was adjudged LBW for 6. This brought skipper Berry to the crease and together with Pascoe an excellent partnership of 148 followed with a fine selection of strokeplay all around the wicket. Unfortunately 16 year old Pascoe's brilliant innings ended when he was bowled for 99, falling agonisingly short of his first Devon League century. Berry followed soon after, for an excellent 60 leaving Dan Coles (32) and Chris Pascoe (19) to take Ashes up to a final total of 243 for 6 in their 45 overs.
The Paignton reply started badly when Ryan May (1 for 31) dismissed Rory Medlock. Mark Smith (45) and Braunton Pedley (48) then took the score to 89 for 1 after 20 overs and at the drinks break Paignton looked the most likely winners. The introduction of Chris Yeo into the attack changed the momentum as first he was involved in the run out of Pedley and then he got stuck into the middle order on his way to figures of 3 for 32 from his 9 overs. Thomas Blundell (58no) launched a fightback but, despite some lusty blows late on, 90 off of the last 10 overs and 24 off of the final over bowled by George Yabsley proved a little too much of an ask and they finished on 231 for 6 leaving Ashburton 12 run winners.
After the game skipper Berry said "A much better all round performance this week but still some areas to work on. The thing I was most glad to see was out change in mindset and really believing that we would win this game. A quick mention to Jake who batted beautifully falling just shy of his club maiden ton".
Link to scorecard - https://www.play-cricket.com/website/results/4137366
Link to match photos (credit Julian Preston) - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=julian.preston.14&set=a.10159202057632357
Jake Pascoe on his way to a sublime 99 on Saturday (picture credit Julian Preston)
Ashburton second team made the short trip to Chudleigh to play their counterparts. After winning the toss and batting they posted 159 all out mainly thanks to skipper Phil Pascoe (57). Tom Rush (24) and Toby Pascoe (18) also chipped in.
Ashton West (2 for 13) and Luke Pascoe (1 for 31) then reduced the hosts to 12 for 3. Despite economical bowling all round and further wickets for Marcus West (1 for 36) and Nail Kemp (1 for 23), Chudleigh number 3, Dan Britcliffe could not be moved. Even when he was eventually adjudged LBW, skipper Pascoe sportingly called him back as he had hit the ball. Britcliffe (90no) then saw his side to the victory in the final over.
Link to scorecard - https://www.play-cricket.com/website/results/4138160