Bradninch 1st XI versus Whimple 1st XI
Saturday 28th June 2003 at Bradninch

Bradninch lost the toss and were asked to bat on a drying wicket that had been exposed to the previous day�s rain. Confident after chasing 235 to beat Plymouth Civil Service the Saturday before, the batsmen set about their task with relish. Chris Acton and Gary Newall carved a steady opening partnership of 60 in the first 23 overs and were poised to capitalize as Gary fell for a solid 19. Tim Piper settled quickly but was out with the score on 80 and with Chris following on 83 the promising start was beginning to disintegrate.

The bowling of Whimple�s ex-Honiton and Feniton, left arm over was the key as he closed down the runs with an accurate, probing 13 overs from the bottom end. However, a stand of 33 between Joel Murphy and Ross Acton took the score to 126 for 5 and the innings closed at 155 with six wickets down and a flurry of runs from the late middle order. (Chris Acton 40, Joel Murphy 25, Ross Acton 21 and J. Wood 5-32).

The wholesome tea refreshed both sides but it was Bradninch who came out the hungrier, recognizing that they had to work hard to defend an adequate but very gettable total on a now much drier and even paced wicket. A mediocre first 9 overs allowed Whimple to take the advantage and at 40 for 1, Paul Nott�s customary nagging line and length had produced the only success with an LBW courtesy of the visiting umpire.

Replacing Ross with Joel down the hill immediately regained the initiative and a smart catch behind by Gem Coetzee, followed by a clean bowled and a further LBW decision left the Whimple innings perilously deflating at 53 for 4, with the last 13 runs coming at one per over, as they approached the mid-way stage. Andy Nichols administered another blow as Chris Acton took a comfortable mid-wicket catch and with Tim Piper spearing the middle order with two wickets in a short, destructive spell seven wickets had fallen with less than half the total achieved.

A brief recovery, with a 30 run eighth wicket stand, flattered briefly taking the score to 103 before Joel and Paul returned to clean up with three wickets falling for six runs, helped by a well judged catch by Nat Davey at cover and a one handed second slip lightening strike by Andy to send Whimple home, 109 all out. (Joel Murphy 5-16, Tim Piper 2-15, Paul Nott 2-29 and P. Godsiff 24 not out). Bradninch 18 points, Whimple 4.