Ashburton 1st XI got back to winning ways after consecutive loses to South Devon and Babbacombe respectively as they defeated Shaldon by 8 wickets.
Having won the toss, home captain Mark Couch decided to bat on what looked a good cricket wicket. However, the decision soon backfired as the hosts found themselves at 10-2 after Tristan Wakefield snared both opening batsman. Andrew Epsley was caught at 2nd slip by Tom Durman and Karl Blackburn got a leading edge to extra cover where Lloyd White took it safely. 2nd XI captain and spinner Chris Yeo was an inspired choice with the new ball and backed Wakefield up after bowling his first 8 overs for just 20. He got the wicket he deserved when he bowled Dan Woolnough for just 10. Steve Arkell (35) and Todd Ballman (38) staged some kind of a fight back but the Durman brother, Tom and Dom, aided well by Ashely Harvey, bowled with great control in the middle overs as Shaldon lost wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Couch hung around with the tail and added 28 but Shaldon were all out for exactly 150 from 39.2 overs.
Ashes found themselves in a spot of bother at 37-2 with leading run scorer Tom Durman and overseas Wakefield back in the changing rooms. Thespo Legodi getting Durman caught at first slip whilst Wakefield was clean bowled by opposing overseas Kelsey Fahey. That was as good as it got though as White and Harvey had other ideas and started to dominate. Harvey particular quick onto anything short and White hitting anything overpitched down the ground. Their stand was worth an unbroken 115 with White (59* from 61 balls) and Harvey (62* from 60 balls) as Ashes won at a canter before drinks. Victory puts the Chargers in 2nd place in the league table, with a 10-point gap between 3rd placed Bridestowe and an 18 point gap between top of the table Babbacombe.
This week Ashes host Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough CC at Varwell field and Skipper Ashley Berry reflected on things to come – “I was delighted with the response against Shaldon. After a couple of defeats, we have bounced back in great fashion. The discipline with our bowling was great and it was great to see Lloyd and Ash back in the runs again. No doubt we will take this momentum into Saturdays fixture with Plymouth and Roborough.”
Shaldon 150 (S Arkell 35, T Ballman 38, M Couch 28; T Wakefield 2-28, T Durman 2-18, A Harvey 2-41, D Durman 2-15), Ashburton 152-2 (L White 59no, A Harvey 62no). Ashburton (20pts) bt Shaldon (4) by 8 wkts.
1st XI Scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2904506
Marcus West reflected on a tough day at the office for the 2nd XI:s “A tough day as were bowled all out for 103 by Tavistock. Only myself (35), Churchy (12) and Extras (19) getting into double figures on a wicket which was not the easiest. Our youngsters then showed their strength and came to the forefront as we tried to defend a low total. Jake Pascoe bowled and fielded superbly as did Jake Bartram making his 2s debut. The Rushy's both did their bit also with James bagging one of our wickets and Tom keeping superbly. The whole team showed their fight right to the end and although we lost, the character of the team was evident throughout as heads did not drop and a good time was had by all.”
Ashburton 103 (M West 35; M Hopkins 3-23, A Gauler 3-27), Tavistock 107-2 (D Watson 33, M Webber 22no). Tavistock (20pts) bt Ashburton (3) by 8 wkts.
2nd XI Scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2905923
