Devon D West

Whitchurch Wayfarers

v Kenn

THE Whitchurch Wayfarers made an excellent start to the season with a high scoring win over  Kenn.

It was an enthralling encounter between two teams missing a few regulars. Kenn won the toss and, unsurprisingly, asked Whitchurch to bat.

After the early loss of Bob Powell, Ben Powell (58) and Richie Potts (69) played the conditions with care. Ten overs in the score stood at 33 for 1; Strong (1 for 26) and Thomas (1-52), bowling with an accuracy that was rarely seen later, keeping the batsmen in check. The introduction of Chislett (1-46) and Bragg (2-72) saw a distinct change of pace. Both batsmen went on the attack and runs started to flow.

At the half way stage 143 for 1 looked very promising. A couple of tired shots saw the picture change as both Potts and Powell departed.

Barriball (18) and Meadows (42) kept up the momentum with quick running between the wickets. Passmore (3-64) and Bragg (2-71) kept the visitors interested as wickets fell steadily.

The runs continued to flow helped by regular contributions in the sundries column. Kenn gave Whitchurch a further 33 runs in extras. The final flurry came from Josh Vernon (not out 33) who punished the tiring attack with some powerful stroke play. Whitchurch went to tea with a commanding and impressive 277 runs on the board.

In reply Kenn showed that they too were up to the task. Meir (24) and Bragg (68) looked in little difficulty as they put on an opening stand of 96. Sambells (2-40) and Barriball (2-46) bowled well but without luck. A short boundary and the opposition keeping up with the demanding run rate resulted in the home team looking a bit ragged.

Meir falling to an ill-judged attempt at a second run brought in Gosling (30) who kept up the pressure on the home team. 100-1 became 170-3 and Kenn were still up with the run rate. With extras proving even more costly for Whitchurch, (they gave Kenn a handsome 58 to help them on the way including 28 wides), the game was in the balance.

The good catches of Barriball and Sambells helped keep pressure on Kenn. Then, with the score at 200-5 the pressure told. Returning for a second spell at the top Josh Vernon (2-13) bowled with real menace and put real pressure on the batsmen. In the end they could not cope and wickets started to fall regularly.

The end came quite quickly as Kenn subsided to 238 all out.

It was a deserved win but Whitchurch will have to reduce their generosity with wides if they are to keep on winning.