Ashburton 1st continued in fine momentum by wrapping up a 56 run win when visiting Chagford in DCL week ten.
Having won the toss and choosing to bat, Lloyd White and Dan Coles got the side off to a solid start. White the first to fall from 24 from 29 balls at 30-1. Tom Durman added 23 with Coles but was caught behind attempting a late cut for just 12. With overseas Tristan Wakefield absent due to a minor operation, pressure was on the middle order to step up to the occasion. Ash Harvey came and went without scoring, his first duck since May 2014. Coles kept ticking away at the other end as Skipper Ashley Berry (18 ), Martin Causey (17) and Matt Churchhill (10) added vital partnerships. Coles’ patient innings of 29 from 66 balls came to end when he was caught at mid-on off the bowling of Rhys Holland (1-11 from 6 overs). At 118-8, Chagford would have been keen to wrap things up early but Dom Durman top scored with 35 from 41 balls as he showed the top order how it was done to get the Chargers up to a respectable 173 all out. Dan Mathers-Chapman taking 3-27 with the rest of the wickets shared around.
Chagford’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Tom Durman uprooted Callum Worth’s middle stump for just 1. Pressure mounted on South African Jp Van Rensburg who looked set until Chris Yeo grabbed him LBW for just 5 to leave the home side reeling at 28/2. Craig Penberthy scored a patient 31 from 79 balls but was unable to find a steady partner as Will Coon (4-18) span his way through the middle order. Harvey (who also bowled 6 maidens), Dom Durman and Churchill chipped in with a wicket each and Dan Coles ran out Simon Snell as Chagford were all out for 117.
Skipper Berry reflected – “We lost wickets at regular intervals to kick on and make a big score. However, we bat all the way down and Dom’s innings was the real match changer as it gave us a target to bowl at. The dusty wicket was ideal for Will and he utilised it perfectly. It showed a bit of guts as we hadn't played anyway near our best and still came away with the win. That said, it's vital that we sharpen up if we want to continue towards the top of the table.”
1st Scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2904400
The 2s picked up a second successive win in fine style against Yelverton this week.
Marcus West reflected:
Winning the toss and electing to bowl looked to be the right decision as Yelverton raced to 55-1 in double quick time. However, using all 7 bowlers the Chargers were able to keep changing things up and take the pace off the ball. Tidy spells from Robin Lambo and George Marshall gave us our first key break throughs. Jake Padcoe and Russ Lacey then took the pace off the ball and both bowled to the team plan superbly. Jake bagging a well deserved wicket and Russ grabbing 4. With Jerry Crouch then coming on and bagging another couple we restricted them to 149-9. A superb effort.
The reply was built around a sublime innings by Kev Nicksy (93no). Putting on 97 for the first wicket with Westy (15)And then supported by Jake (10 no) we soon surpassed the Yelvy total with just 3 down and 14 overs to spare.
Outstanding performance all round. 19 points in the bag.
2nd XI scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2905924