Devon League

Whitchurch Wayfarers v

Woodland Fort

THIS was a much improved performance from Whitchurch, but their victory owed much to the work of the ground crew — the planned match pitch was underwater so a new pitch was cut prior to the game on a drier part of the square.

Things did not start well, in a match reduced to 35 overs a side. Whitchurch lost the toss and were seemingly struggling at 21-4, Brown (3-29) doing the damage.

A partnership of 72 between Freedman (26) and Hall turned things in Whitchurch's favour.

As the bowlers tired, Hall boosted the scoring rate before falling agonisingly 4 runs short of a first League ton.

Whitchurch bludgeoned 100 from the last 9 overs to post a demanding total of 192 for 8.

Fort never looked likely to show much resistance, once Stone had been caught sharply by Tamblin and Dennis had also perished.

Mansfield (6-20) and Davies (4-10) rattled through the Fort batting dismissing the visitors for just 42 runs, and just before the next batch of rain passed over.

Whitchurch are looking to continue their fine form away at Kenn on Saturday, while the second XI, whose match against Buckland was a victim of the weather, entertain Lewdown. On Sunday Plymouth Civil Service will be the visitors.