Two records were broken in week 9 of the DCL as Ashburton 1st XI amassed a massive 364-7 against Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough CC. Having won the toss, and Ash Berry electing to bat on what looked to be a scorching hot day and the wicket one of the best in the area, the innings got off to the worse possible start as Martin Causey was caught at gully without troubling the scorers.
Lloyd White and Tom Durman put on a rapid 52 before the latter was caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Alan Smith for 25. Smith also accounted for White who too perished on the ropes, one short of his half century. At 101-3, the game was finely poised but this only gave overseas Tristan Wakefield a chance to dominate and take centre stage. After 19 fours, and 10 sixes later, Wakefield had amassed a massive 172 to his name. That’s 136 in boundaries alone and at one point, Ash Berry could be found scrambling into the clubhouse looking for spare balls! Partnerships along the way included 72 with Ashley Harvey (27) and a stand worth 125 with Dan Coles (39). Dom Durman (19), Matt Chruchill (10*) hit some lusty blows towards the end to add extra impetus.
When Churchill hit the last ball of the innings for six, the score leapfrogged the 360-7 made vs South Brent in 2016. To become the highest score made in Ashburton 1st XI history. Wakefields 172 also smashed the highest individual score of 138 made by White in 2016 vs Newton St Cyres.
Plymouth CS&R came out fighting and at 54-0, they had made just the start they wanted. Tom Durman and Chris Yeo, unable to make an early breakthrough. Left arm spinner Matt Churchill accounted for both openers in two balls, both caught at backward point by White. Alan Smith came and went for 0, caught at mid-on by White, off the bowling of Dom Durman. Daniel Windsor (25), Nick Read (38) and Stuart Dent (46) all hung around for some time in the middle until Tom Durman returned to take 3-44. Ash Harvey provided the bowling to give White 4 catches in the game when Dent chanced his arm, attempting to get to his half century with a 6 and was caught at long-on. That wrapped up the 20 points the Ashes needed to cement their position in 2nd and to take some seious momentum into Chagford for week ten.
Wakefield reflected on his record innings – “After getting a couple of starts it felt great to kick on and get a big one. We batted superbly in partnerships all the way through which meant I could bat with freedom. Scoring my first Ashburton hundred will be a moment that sticks with me forever.”
Skipper Berry was delighted with the performance. “I was absolutely delighted with the team’s performance. Everyone batted superbly around Tristan in what was an incredible innings. all of our top order are in good form and we visit Chagford full of confidence.”
Ashburton 364-7 (T Wakefield 172, L White 49, D Coles 39, A Harvey 27, T Durman 25; K Dann 3-66, A Smith 2-69), Plymouth CS&R 178 (S Dent 46, N Read 38; T Durman 3-44, M Churchill 3-35). Ashburton (20pts) bt Civil (7) by 186 runs.
1st XI Scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2904378
At the halfway stage, the first XI have the 3rd, 4th and 5th leading run scorers in the league with Wakefield (299), Tom Durman (289) and White (257) – Dom Durman leads the wicket tally with 14 and stands at 5th in the league for most wickets. Stats can be found at http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/web_pages/221943
Marcus West reflected on a great day for the club after the 2nd XI defeated Ipplepen
“A huge performance from the 2s this week as we travelled to local rivals Ipplepen. We won the toss and bowled first on a drying track. All 8 bowlers made good use of the conditions with Deano Topping, Russ Lacey, myself, George Marshall and Robin Lambo all taking wickets and Jerry Cro
uch bagging himself a couple. This along with strong fielding throughout help restrict Ipplepen to just 172-7.
The chase was steady and based on time at the crease. George(24) and Westy(72 no) saw off the new ball and provided a solid platform with an opening partnership of 71 (the first 50+ run opening partnership of the season).
With Westy anchoring the innings Russ came in and was able to play his natural game seeing off the good balls and punishing the bad making an unbeaten 43 off 42 balls. The partnership of 74 was enough to see the Chargers home with 7 overs to spare and just 2 wickets down. Superb performance by all and a well-deserved win.”
Ipplepen 171-7 (T Cooper 61, R Stanley 25, C King 32; J Crouch 2-23), Ashburton 172-2 (M West 72, R Lacey 43, G Marshall 24; S Harris 2-32). Ashburton (18pts) bt Ipplepen (5) by 8 wkts.
2nd XI Scorecard: http://ashburton.play-cricket.com/website/results/2905952
