Chetwynd Tamar League

St Stephens v Ordulph

ORDULPH won the toss and elected to bat first. Accurate bowling by Stokes (2 for 28 off 11) and Sleep (1 for 11 off 5) kept the Ordulph opening batsmen in check. With only 29 on the board after 20 overs the pressure was mounting for Ordulph to pick up the run rate. Useful contributions from Westlake (19) and M A Wheeler (13) helped to push things along.

The crowd were then entertained when a brief visit to the crease from Slim Wheeler produced a rapid 16 from 4 balls which included a six, two fours and a two. Finally an excellent stand of 40 between Rich (24) and Coad (16) took the Ordulph score to a respectable 167 all out.

The St Stephens opening bowlers were well supported by J Davies, who took 2 for 40 in his 12 over spell, and S Court who while being expensive going for 52 runs took 4 wickets in the process.

In reply the St Stephens opening pair of Cook (40) and Skinner (21) set off scoring at a steady rate putting anything wayward away with ruthless ease.

With the exception of Rich who had to retire hurt and Smith who battled tirelessly, the Ordulph bowlers did not put enough balls in the right area consistently enough really to trouble the visiting batsmen.

Briefly Ordulph hopes were raised when Cook fell to Westlake and Skinner fell to Smith in the space of three overs.

Any hopes the Ordulph had of containing St Stephens, though, were soon dashed with the arrival of Stokes and Davies to the crease. Stokes with his customary big hitting, supported well by Davies, smashed boundaries to all parts of the ground.

The two put on a superb partnership of 94 runs in less than 15 overs and despite several Ordulph bowling changes to break it, the partnership remained unbeaten as the Ordulph total was reached with five overs to spare. Stokes finished up with an unbeaten 49 and Davies also unbeaten on 46.

This week Ordulph entertain Lewdown at Kelly College.