Reports by AJ West
To kick off the Devon League season, Ashburton’s 1st team were away to Sandford 2s.
Sandford were batting first and got off to a slow start thanks to Ashburton's opening bowlers Steve Edmonds and Charlie Towers while both being wicketless kept the run rate to below 2 an over throughout their spells. Edmonds reeling off 5 maindens to start the day, really setting the tone. Matt Coon (3 for 44) then took the first wicket of Jonathan James (24) to break the opening partnership. Vaibhav Sheth (4 for 38) then took his maiden Devon League wicket of Joe Hopkins (30) to remove the other Sandford opener. A couple more quick wickets from Matt Coon left Sandford 88-4.
Wickets began falling at regular intervals however with Sandford number 3 Praison Alias still in the innings was not over just yet. With wickets at the other end falling and the pressure building for Sandford, Praison (47) was not able to take his team to a high total as he fell to the spin of Vaibhav Sheth. Chris Yeo (3 for 20) then mopped up the lower order to leave Sandford all out for only 139.
In reply, Ashburton’s innings started by losing opener George Yabsley on the second ball. Steve Edmonds put on 41 runs with Vaibhav Sheth before getting out on 13. Vaibhav scored a run a ball 56 before losing his wicket leaving Ashburton 84 for 3. Captain Lloyd White (33no) and Matt Churchill(20no) went on to win the match for Ashburton with 7 wickets remaining.
After the game Skipper Lloyd White went on to say “Delighted to get off the mark in the opener. Our Bowling was absolutely superb, with Charlie and Steve setting the tone for the entire innings. Albeit, they were both wicketless, they challenged the batters in every over and Steve reeling off 5 maidens in a row, was a class way to start. Matt Coon showed exactly why he was our leading wicket taker last year, and Bittu and Yoyo bowled with superb control. I thought we showed great composure with the bat to knock the runs off, and to see Bittu strike the ball so cleanly was fantastic. A special mention to the Sandford grounds team who helped get the game on after a tricky April, and to their wider team for being brilliant hosts for the day.”
Scorecard - Devon Cricket League (play-cricket.com)
Ashburton 2nd team were at home to Cornwood 4’s to start off the season. After losing the toss they were put into bat on what appeared to be bowler friendly conditions.
Back from Injury after last season Captain Phil Pascoe (32) opened the batting alongside Jack Warren (Dawlish). Phil and Jack put on a steady partnership of 75 for the opening wicket when Phil unfortunately chipped the ball back to the bowler. Marcus West (Westy) then came in and other than the bowler dropping him first ball looked in good form as he and Dawlish took the side to 161 for 2. Before getting out Dawlish scored his maiden 50 containing 3 x4s and 5 x6s finishing on 65. Matt Partridge joined Westy(62no) in the middle scoring 22 getting out in the last over to take Ashburton to 215 for 3 from our 40 overs.
Aware of the short boundary going into the bowling innings, we knew we had a good score, but it was chasable, so we needed to bowl well to ensure victory. Opening the bowling down the hill was Dawlish (2 for 20) taking the opening batter’s wicket on the 5th ball for a wicket maiden to start off the season. Alex Hayman (2 for 15) then opened the bowling up the hill. Bowling a good length with swing and pace the batters struggled to get Alex away. With the pressure built by the opening bowlers it was up to Rob Lambert and AJ West to keep that pressure and to take the remaining wickets. The Cornwood opener Philip Gibson (15) and Jake May (13) were the only batters to reach double digits both of whom fell victim to Rob Lambert's spell of 3 for 8. AJ West then mopped up the lower order taking 3 for 12 to bowl Cornwood out for 56 off only 18.2 overs.
Phil discussed the game and looked at the season ahead by saying “Well......... What a day for the 2’s and the club. We most definitely outclassed Cornwood today, our batters batted, our bowlers bowled, and fielders held catches. A top all-round performance that we should be proud of. As mentioned, it won’t be like that every week, but we win together, and I am sure at some point in time lose together. We are a team and played as one”
Scorecard - Devon Cricket League (play-cricket.com)
After a week one success for the club where both teams got the maximum 20 points we hope to continue this form into next week where the 1st team will take on Kingsbridge 1st team at home and the 2s will take on Paignton 4th away at Torre Valley North
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