A weakened Plymouth side found 184 too much to chase on the Torpoint pitch and now face top of the table Exmouth this Saturday coming.
With two of the successes of this season Jon Varcoe and Ritchie MacPherson being asked to play for the IIs, we were always going to be up against it. JJ was unavailable so it was a big ask to compete.
Barton batted first and again, Phil Barrow struggled with his rhythm although his first spell of 9 overs only went for 10 runs. The little wee Master Styles gloved one behind but, didn't walk - perhaps he'd like to bat with no gloves on nest time. Phil had him LBW soon after but his partner Beech was also caught behind off Rich Gill's 3rd ball and HE didn't want to walk either. He was given out but it's a sad state for players to be taught not to walk....anyway, we digress.
James Nicholls opened with Phil and bowled seam up for the first time in 2 years.......we had Rich Gill but Captain Watson wanted this option. He was a little unlucky but Dave Palmer bashed a couple of 4s in what was a prelude to his innings of 98.
At 58-2, things were getting away from us and a dropped catch off Rich by the senior Gill and two chances to Jake in the deep going begging plus a missed stumping saw frustration builiding. Rich took a terrific caught and bowled but then lost his line and was replaced by James Nicholls. In between all this McCauley Martin bowled 5 good overs conceding only two boundaries.
Palmer began to accelerate with about 20 overs to go hitting 4 sixes before being bowled by Phil in his second spell.
So, a bedraggled Plymouth began their repsonse but debutant Paul Blank went for a duck and Rich Gill followed for the same score to leave Plymouth 14-2 and already up against it. Martin Gill was the not out opener at this stage and lasted just over an hour for his 9 before being the 4th wicket down, 3 runs after James Nicholls was caught for the same score. So, we were 40-4 with 124 the two thirds target (or rather 125 to gain an extra point) to secure the 2 points for a losing draw.
Dave Watson dug extremely deeply for his 29 and shared a decent stand of 47 with Gareth (Jake had holed out at 57). Dale cema and went in a flash and young Rhys Callicott fell, also for a duck to leave us 106-8. Phil came in and tried to decapitate silly point Bowker and then Gareth, too, went for 26, still thinking of a win - we need more positive players like him. McCauley was bowled by Bowker and PCC were all out for 127.
In a way, there is no pressure on us against Exmouth - no-one will expect us to win but with more drive and determination that we've displayed so fa, I believe we can upset the apple cart. Fantastic ground and setting - let's enjoy it.
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