Ashburton first team entertained Cornwood second team on Saturday. The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first and were rewarded with a double strike from Andy Bees (2 for 15) leaving Ashes 14 for 2. Skipper Ash Berry got his head down with Dan Coles (11) to add 34 as the new ball threat was seen off. Steve Edmonds (13) then joined Berry as the tempo of the innings started to increase, but when Edmonds fell at 93 for 4 a mini collapse followed and this became 112 for 7, Berry the seventh wicket to fall for an excellent 51.
Chris Yeo ensured a reasonable score was posted by clubbing 32 off of just 26 balls before he fell at 158 for 8. Unfortunately rain then brought a premature end to the Ashes innings at 160 for 8 with 4.2 overs unbowled, Tom Higgs unbeaten on 7.
After the rain delay, Cornwood commenced their innings chasing a revised target of 153 in 39 overs. Ashes had the perfect start as George Yabsley (1 for 12) made an early breakthrough. Robin Dart played his shots on his way to 30, but then a double strike from Will Coon (2 for 29) left them 54 for 3. Unfortunately the rain then returned and the wet ball made life difficult for the Ashes bowlers and Cornwood's scoring rate increased. A runout at 101 for 4 came just before the rain became too heavy to continue and the match was abandoned.
Link to scorecard - https://www.play-cricket.com/website/results/4137322
Link to match photos (credit Julian Preston) - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=julian.preston.14&set=a.10159335673422357
Ashburton skipper Ash Berry on his way to 51 versus Cornwood on Saturday (credit Julian Preston)
Ashburton second team travelled to play Paignton third team and after losing the toss, were asked to bowl first. Ashes reduced the hosts to 62 for 6 before a fightback from Tim Ward (71) ensured a final total of 161 all out was reached. Luke Pascoe (3 for18), Jake Bartram (3 for 21) and Robin Lambert (2 for 10) were the pick of the bowlers.
The loss of early wickets meant the Ashes reply never really got going but Marcus West (33no) was well supported by Luke Pascoe, Jerry Crouch and AJ West as the 40 overs were batted out and a final total of 102 for 5 was reached.
Link to scorecard - https://www.play-cricket.com/website/results/4138181
On Sunday Ashburton travelled to play Plympton knowing a win would see them take the South Devon League title.
Plympton were light on batting and sportingly allowed Ashburton to bat first and a final total of 322 was amassed in the 40 overs. Both Lloyd White and Phil Pascoe helped themselves to centuries before retiring and there were chip ins from Brad Causey (27no), Matt Churchill (26) and Gordon Colwill (16no).
Plympton were dismissed for 91 in reply mainly thanks to AJ West who picked up his first ever 5-fer bowling 8 overs, 2 maidens and taking 5 wickets for 20 runs. Steve Reynolds (2 for 24), Luke Pascoe (6.1 overs, 1 for 5) Brad Causey (1 for 19) and Jack Warren (1 for 20) were the other wicket takers.
Link to scorecard - https://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/4648062
Ashburton's South Devon League side from Sunday versus Plympton
Back row, left to right - Gordon Colwill, Dan Coles, Brad Causey, Luke Pascoe, Steve Hulse (umpire), Steve Reynolds and Marcus West
Front row, left to right - Matt Churchill, Phil Pascoe, Jack Warren, AJ West, Lloyd White