An anticlimactic end to the game saw PCC lose by 46 runs
On a very hot day, the return of Captain Tom Hughes saw him lose the toss as PCC fielded.
Ezra and Ben opened and saw Lenygon bowled by the latter for 12 - the bat was beaten numerous times (throughout the innings, not just the opening phases) but it all became too much for Phil as he showed frustration (at the playing & missing) on the last ball before the first drinks break by sarcastically remarking upon the batting of No. 3 Debenham (who had just hit him straight back for 4........)
Ben bowled a few too many no-balls/wides but picked up other opener Collinge for 20, caught behind and 8 runs later, had figures of 3-30 having Buckingham caught behind also.
Andy brilliantly picked up and threw down Debenham's wicket to leave Exmouth 113-3 on a very very fast outfield but the dangerous Richard Arnold looked as though he was going to make lots of hay before being brilliantly caught by Jon Meredith off a mistimed pull. This catch made up for the appalling effort of Phil who had dropped a dolly off Debenham b4 Andy did the business (cost the team no runs - cost me a pint of bitter....)
Windsor continued to play well until being dismissed by Gilly for 63 but Exmouth continued to turn the screw by adding 64 for the last 4 wickets - Gilly picking up 2 more and Steve Mattock having Sargeant well caught by Ben. Andy, who took over from Phil Stephenson behind the sticks, ran out last man Tapper after Phil thought he'd broken his wrist (turned out to be bruising...)
So, 251 to get............Keith was bowled for 12 having been dropped twice by their 'keeper with the score on 42 - Exmouth being rather generous in their general direction of bowling. At 90-1, 204 all out was a long way off - Jake and Andy batting well together proving that there were no demons in the pitch, only in the mind.........
Andy went caught behind for a nice 37 and likewise James Nicholls (trying to regain some confidence) scored pretty freely for 39 - Jake, however, had initiated the familiar mid-order collapse by playing too far across his stumps to be bowled by Buckingham for a fine 53.
James too became a victim of his by being bowled off his foot to leave PCC 154-4 and problems became worse when John M pulled Debenham for 6 b4 a leading edge 3 balls later saw PCC at 162-5.
A losing draw was our best result now especially when Tom was run out for 11 - the umpire may have been a long way away to make the decision but there you go..............Phil S had come in at No 6 but fell LBW (194-7) - Ben lasted 6 balls for 2, Gilly was bowled 1st ball and Ezra was inexplicably run out - Steve remained unbeaten but we had 10 points.
South Devon are really struggling and with only one team going down, a win against them and/or North Devon should see us safe.
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