Ashburton first team entertained Kingsbridge first team on Saturday and after losing the toss were asked to field first on a baking hot day.
Fine opening spells from Steve Edmonds (9 overs, 2 for 20) and Arun Karthick (8.4 overs, 3 for 11) ensured that Kingsbridge found runs hard to come by. Only Ed Church (25) offered any early resistance. However he was dismissed by the first ball of Will Coon's spell who then went on to run through the middle order on his way to excellent figures of 9 overs, 4 for 25. Andy Sutton (35 off of 31 balls) the only batsman to make any headway as Kingsbridge slid to 105 all out in 37.4 overs.
Ashburton never looked in any trouble knocking off the runs as opener Jake Pascoe (37) anchored the innings. Support came from Lloyd White (18) and Ashley Berry (13) and then Dan Coles (15no) saw Ashes home for the loss of just 3 wickets with 14.1 overs to spare.
After the game skipper Berry said "It's nice to be in second place at the halfway stage of the season. Whilst being this high up in the table was not our initial target, we know it's definitely within our capability. The targets remain the same however, we are taking one game at a time, trying to improve each week and enjoy our Saturdays.".
Will Coon on his way to 4 for 25 on Saturday (credit Julian Preston)
A young Ashburton second team travelled to play league leaders Lustleigh on Saturday and after winning the toss and choosing to bowl were put to the sword as Lustleigh racked up 459 for 4 in 40 overs. There were 2 wickets for Jerry Crouch, who passed 250 league wickets for the club, as well as wickets for John Baglivi and the evergreen Alan Churchill.
Ashburton's reply was led by Tom Rush (64) who scored his maiden league fifty for the club. Chip ins from Alan Churchill (17), Jerry Crouch (11) and Jake Bartram (11) saw Ashes close on a final total of 150 all out in 33 overs.
On Sunday Ashburton hosted Barton in the South Devon League. After losing the toss and being put into bat, Ashburton soon made Barton pay for their decision. An opening stand worth 110 between Sunday skipper Matt Churchill (71) and Jake Pascoe, continuing his Saturday form with 45, got the Chargers off to a fantastic start. Supported knocks from tea buffet supplier Arun Karthick (29) and James Rush (25) sent the Ashburton score rocketing up towards 200. A Dan Coles special (8), supported by Jake Bartram (6*) and a 2 off the final ball from Toby Pascoe, enabled Ashburton to reach 200-5 off their allotted 35 overs.
In reply, Barton, the reigning SDCL champions, got off to a bad start due to the bowling of Robin Lambert (3-12). After this, tidy spells from three of the future AJ West, Luke Pascoe & Freddie Harvey kept the Barton score well below the required rate. A couple of wickets from Jake Bartram at the end, ensured that the Chargers would emerge as the clear winners as Barton were all out for 127.
Skipper Matt Churchill on his way to 71 on Sunday (credit Julian Preston)