Ashburton 1st XI started their Devon Cricket League C Division West campaign in emphatic style with a 8 wicket win at home to Chagford. Captain Ashley Berry handed out debut caps to Dan Coles and overseas player Tristan Wakefield. The team also welcomed the return of Tom Durman.
Berry lost the toss and opposing captain Derek Lammonby quickly opted to bat first. At 44-0 the decision was looking a good one. Although both Ashburton opening bowlers Wakefield and Tom Durman were economical in their opening spells, the Chargers just couldn’t find the breakthrough. Spin twins Ashley Harvey (2-28) and Will Coon (2-27) made the breakthrough though and Matt Churchill (3-13) turned the screw even further. Lammonby remained stern throughout and batted well for his 51.
Two fantastic run outs, one from Coon and an incredible direct hit from Harvey wrapped things up as Chagford found themselves all out for 111.
Lloyd White and Martin Causey opened the batting and quickly got into their stride, putting 40 on the board in just 6 overs. White was the first to perish after a leading edge to mid-wicket for a brisk 22. Causey was then trapped LBW for 23 but Wakefield (25*) and Durman (28*) steadied the mid innings wobble and got the Chargers over the line with 33 overs to spare.
Winning skipper Berry said “I was impressed with how efficiently we went about our business. Chagford could have made that a lot harder had we not turned up. But from the start we knew we had control at all times. We are all delighted with the way the season has started and no doubt we will take the momentum into next week.”
Ashburton travel to Dartington and Totnes next Saturday 13th May in a bid to make it two from two.
Scorecard can be found on our external Play-Cricket site at: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2904375
Our 2nd XI also grabbed their first win of the season away at Yelverton. After posting 188, anchored by an excellent 40 from Kev Nicholls, Russ Lacey was the star of the show in the field with a stunning catch and 5-16 which included a hat-trick. Yelverton were all out for 93. The twos welcome Plympton 3rd next week.
