Ashburton started their pre-season friendlies with two fixtures.
On Saturday Ashburton travelled to Babbacombe. The hosts had a fairly strong side out and after an early wicket for Robin Lambert (1 for 37) they posted a formidable total in their 40 overs based mainly around a second wicket partnership of 163 between Rob Redding (89) and Janrich Viljoen (78). AJ West (2-52) dismissed both and then wickets tumbled as only Steve Bowman (43) made any headway. Toby Pascoe (3-41), Jack Warren (2 for 13) and Jerry Crouch (2 for 34) dismissed Babbacombe for 241.
Ashburton struggled to keep up with the required rate but there was good time in the middle for skipper Phil Pascoe (30), Toby Pascoe (14), Nick Yabsley (16) and an excellent unbeaten 31no from Jerry Crouch as Ashburton finished on 123 for 8. Matthew Kierman was the pick of the home bowlers with 3 for 20.
On Sunday Ashes travelled to play Exeter at the County Gound. On a flat pitch Exeter found runs easy to come by and the first three of their top order all retired having reached 50. Matt Churchill (1 for 39) and George Yabsley (2 for 32) picked up late wickets as Exeter reached 209 for 6 in their 40 overs.
Yabsley (33) was then chiefly responsible for getting Ashes up to 75 for 4. A run a ball 40 from Dan Coles kept the board ticking and then with 80 required from the last 10 overs, Will Coon (27) was joined by Tom Higgs who played a remarkable innings hitting several large maximums. 40 from the last 3 overs became 31 from 2 and then 19 from the last over. The last ball was reached with 6 needed to tie but Higgs could only manage a 4 and Ashes lost by 2 runs. Higgs finishing unbeaten on 47.
This coming weekend there are fixtures away to Exeter University (Topsham Road) on Saturday and away to Shobrooke Park on Sunday. Both are a 1pm start and spectators are welcome.
Tom Higgs - 47 not out on Sunday
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