50s from George Stephenson and Ben Ferrao gave the IIs their first win of the season
PCC travelled to Newton Abbot having had a week off owing to having an odd number of teams in the division.
Ben Robins and stand-in Captain Steve Mattock opened the attack having won the toss - After a few wides, Ben sent Matt Blackmore's off stump cartwheeling: 14-1
Steve bowled well and Ben beat the bat a few times as PCC kept South Devon to 37-1 after 12 overs - Phil Barrow took over from Ben after his allotment of 6 overs but bowled as big a mixture as you could expect to see - Steve, in his 7th over picked up the wicket of Norrish for 2 off 21 balls (and had figures of 1-8 at this stage)
Phil managed a couple of straight ones to dismiss Maunder for a duck and then Matthews caught behind for 9 off 29 balls - the secret on this wicket was to bowl very straight (Phil didn't do this) - 12 wides in 9 overs when not swinging the ball is not what you need when the oppo are 4 down.
The other opener Allen was dimissed when Gilly had his LBW appeal upheld for 39 to leave SD in trouble at 69 -5. Ian Shepherd played very well for his 55 (played very few false shots and was sensibly aggressive) - the rain had come at this stage and rendered the ball ineffective and I don't think many of us thought we would return -
Ben had returned but found it difficult to bowl - the conditions certainly didn't help his final figures of 1-68 off 11.
Gilly bowled well to pick up two further wickets in the reduced overs match to leave PCC chasing (ouch!) 180 to win in 44 overs
After 7 overs, we were 35-0 with 10 runs coming from wides, the main donor being Norrish - he made up for this by running out Phil Stephenson with a direct hit after some middle of the wicket hesitation.
At 50, Jake fell LBW playing slightly back to one that nipped back and kept low but when Harry was caught mid-wkt for 9, it seemed that the same old story was going to be repeated. Quiche went quickly 0 and Vic was LBW.
85-5 and young George Stephenson and Ben Ferrao there to hopefully help win the game........
They duly did - George, at 14, has been battering under 15 attacks but yet to make his mark on Saturdays - After 11 balls, he was on 18 and catching Ben up -5 fielders were on the boundary already, the initial 6 going close to passing the Football pitch rails.........Ben was playing a super knock knowing that it was imperative he stayed. The field was gradually going back allowing singles and twos.
George finished with two astonishing 6s, one a short jab it appeared!
Great entertainment and it's certainly more enjoyable post match when you win.
Both players must be greatly applauded - Ben and George finished 51* and 58* respectively, the latter off only 38 balls. Well done Captain Auto - wicketless but very tight and luckless.
Maybe we can start a nice run of results........
http://www.plymouthcricketclub.com/article.php/20080616173806454