The gap widens at the top !!!
Plymouth 305-7 (Pasi Mawalagi 93, H Stephenson 87, B Stein 24, H Kandampully 25; C Neilson 3-54, M Brock 2-59), Hatherleigh 187 (J Ashmore 99; J Hughes 2-22, R Button 3-56, T Hughes 2-40). Plymouth (20pts) bt Hatherleigh (6) by 118.
At last capt Rob BUTTON won a toss !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and elected to bat on a sunny Mount Wise day.
Despite Hatherleighs position in the league their opening bowlers bowled some tidy lines on a wicket which kept fairly low and caused the top order batsmen some early problems.
Ben Ferrao came and went and whislt Ben Stein looked solid he got caught out at mid wicket by a superb one handed effort which wouldnt look out of place in the test match arena.
Rob BUTTON looked set untill he middled a wide half volley to mid off and Keith Barlow smashed one back at the bowler who some how managed to catch it.
Harry KANDAMPULLY looked classy whilst at the crease but was dismissed LBW in his 20's.
At the drinks interval Plymouth were in the 90s 5 down after just 17 overs.
With our 2nd team batting down to 11 Harry STEPHENSON batting at 6 and PASI batting at 7 Hatherleigh did not know what hit them. Harry batted patiently through out his innings which was faultless untill he was caught on the boundary for 87 with 4 overs to go.
PASI played beautifully for his 93 with some expansive wristy shots which were a delight to see.
final total 305 - this is the 4th time we have reached this milestone this year awesome performance lads with the bat.
With one seamer shy could we dismiss Hatherleigh and gain the full 20 points ?
Harry BARNES and Jack HUGHES opened the bowling and both bowlers who have been invaluable 2nd team players this season didnt dissapoint.
Jack Hughes took 2 wickets for 22 runs off his 7 overs and Harry BARNES took 1 wicket for 20 runs off his 7 overs (should have been 2 dropped catch).
both openers deserve a mention for giving us an excellent start.
1st change bowler Tom Hughes called into action for the first time this season made an immediate impact taking 2 wickets in 2 overs !!!!! to the delight of the cackling BEN FERRAO at slip.
ROB BUTTON bowled steady at the other end taking a further 3 wickets with PAVI and Ben STEIN picking up one a piece.
There has to be a special mention for catch of the season !!!
J ASHMORE for Hatherleigh who was on 99 hits a mis timed lofted shot to mid wicket with Harry KANDAMPULLY on the cow corner boundary - Rob BUTTON shouts catch and Harry K sprints at least 30 yards taking a full length dive catching the ball one handed millimetres from the ground _ AMAZING CATCH !!!!!!!!
Again i have to compliment the lads in the spirit we have been playing lately - their is a real unity within the side and we play to win but we also play to enjoy our selves. If you dont enjoy it then how are you expected to win matches !!!
We are not perfect by any means - certain individuals need to improve on their attitude whilst fielding !!! fielding is 50 % of the game and to spend the whole game with your arms folded is just not good enough whilst others are pouring sweat and blood in the field for their team and bowlers.
Having said that Exeter could only manage a losing draw against Bovey which now gives us a 28 point gap at the top of the table - we are not home and dry yet by any means - we now have four hard fixtures where we will play PLYMPTON EXETER SIDMOUTH AND NORTH DEVON - SO LETS KEEP GIVING 100 PERCENT AND BRING THE TITLE HOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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