WINNING STREAK COMES TO AN END !!!
Plymouth 95 (H Stephenson 23, D Ferero 22; M Curtis 6-38, S Witheridge 3-26), 96-3 (O Hunt 42). North Devon (19pts) bt Plymouth (1) by 7 wkts.
Plymouth 2nds winning streak came to an end on Saturday after they were beaten comprehensively by North Devon.
A big thanks to Fred needs to be mentioned as if it wasnt for his hard work preparing the ground prior to the match there would have been no game of cricket to be played this Sturday at Mount Wise.
North Devon won the toss and put Plymouth into bat on a damp wicket.
After a shaky start Ben Ferrao and Harry Stephenson put on a solid 50 partnership to give Plymouth a decent platform to push on - and there lies the only good thing to come out of our batting performance.
Wickets fell regularly and the North Devon spinner M Curtis even had 2 hatrick ball deliveries in his spell for 6 -38.
Plymouth,s batsmen came and went with ease on what seemed a pretty decent pitch despite the recent down pour.
If we are to win this league our batting performances need to improve on a dramatic scale - to many people are giving their wickets away with ease.
I know the players have the talent to produce large scores - but talent doesnt get you over the end line alone in this game and 90 percent of this game is mental and this is a big part of our game we need to improve on during our innings with the bat.
After all said and done I can not fault the players with their recent fielding and bowling displays of late.
All players have given their all in the field and it is good to see every one backing the bowlers with enthusiasm - lets keep this effort up in the field.
With the wicket drying out and playing better with every ball we were allways on the back foot and with a little bit of luck with some decisions it may have been a close game - but it wasnt to be.
This game was ultimately won on the toss of a coin -but it was never a 96 all out pitch and we should have scored in excess of 160 runs - we need to improve drastically next week against Sidmouth if we are to go back to winning ways.
It will be a tough game as Sidmouth are a good side and with the likes of the HUGHES BROS, DANUKA and BEN ROBINS missing from the team I expect the players coming into the team to give 100% effort .
Another positive from the game was that all the players were hugely dissapointed about the result and we were able to talk about areas of the game where we need to improve on within the dressing room after the match.
To me this shows a great deal of maturity in the players that maybe was missing last year and also shows that they are actually thinking about improving their game - its good to see.
Lets pull our socks up lads and show some true grit on Saturday which will hopefully lead us to a win which will see us remain in top spot!!!
A big thank you goes to Janet who prepared our teas this week - it was delicious!!!
On that note If anyone can prepare our teas this weekend it will be much appreciated as we have no one to do it this week.
I would prepare the teas myself but unfortunately i am working nights from 10 pm - 7 am and will not have time to do it this week as you can imagine.
If anyone is prepared to do this for us this week it would be a god send!!! - other wise guys we will have to do faith teas.
If you can do it please contact me before Fri - 07870803799
Buttsy
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