Cullompton CC v Bridestowe CC - 31/05/14

Danners (4.3-27-2) started with a leg side wide but followed it up next ball with and absolute beauty which nipped away to dismiss Brenden caught well by Phil at slip for a duck. The great start continued as Lavis (9-1-29-3) picked up a wicket with his first ball as Tom Fog held a skyer at mid on. Things got even better as Lavis trapped Paul LBW for another duck, leaving Cullompton in big trouble at 7-3 after 2 overs. The new man Granfield started aggressively and along with opener Ashplant decided that attack was the best form of defence as the pair looked to counter with some big shots. They rode their luck and survived some big LBW shouts from both Lavis and Tom Fog but continued to strike the ball nicely to take the score past 50 in quick time. The onslaught continued as the pair began to open up, with Granfield hitting a short ball from Tom Fog (4-30-1) over the railway lines for a big 6. Tom replied in style though by finding the outside edge of Granfield (43), once again caught by Phil at slip. Lavis then took his third wicket, getting rid of the dangerous Ashplant (28), caught well by James diving forward at gully. This left the score at 88-5, with Jopling (3-11-1) and Jutson (5-13-2) coming on to try and clean up the tail for minimal runs. Jutson obliged by taking a wicket in his second over, he dismissed the young number 6 who never really looked dangerous and ended up chipping the ball to Jopling at square leg. The lower order were not threatening many runs and it was just a matter of time before more wickets fell. Jopling took the next one, as James held a simple chance in the gully. It was a day of catches as Tom Fog took another skyer off Jutson to leave the score at 109-8. With their usual skipper stuck in traffic on his way back from holiday, Cullompton only had 10 batsmen and with one wicket to get, Dan Fog was brought back in place of Jopling. It was Jopling however who made the last wicket, the batsmen dropped the ball on the leg side and set off but Jopling flew in from mid-wicket and threw down the stumps at the bowlers end to get the run out. We had bowled out Cullompton for 115 in just 25.3 overs then and fancied our chances of chasing down the total in quick time to get the bonus points on offer.

It was agreed that there would be an hours play before tea, so Tom Fog and the returning Jack Hatton went straight back out. They started well with Tom Fog cutting the first ball of the innings for four and taking the first over for 10. Jacko continued in similar vein, creaming a drive through mid-off for four. He attempted to replicate this next ball but could only manage a big nick and was well caught behind. Sam joined Fog at the crease but they were not together long as Fog (18) was bowled by an accurate yorker, the bowler obviously knew about his recent form as he gave Tom an enthusiastic send off. Jopling took to the crease and started well by cutting his first ball for four. He and Sam continued sensibly, defending anything that looked dangerous. They took the score to 50 before Sam was done by the new bowler Nicholls (5-14-3), bowled by one which kept a low. Sam wasn't too impressed with the bowler's action, leading to rumours he was under investigation by the ICC. Phil took to the crease but he also fell to Nicholls, given out after a questionable LBW appeal. Cullompton now sensed a chance with the score at 52-4. The runs were never going to be a problem as long as we occupied the crease, bad balls and extras would be enough us to win. Jopling, now partnered by James, played with this in mind defending and leaving anything that might trouble them. Jopling (16) did loose patience though and was bowled by Nicholls trying to hit it out of the park. This brought the ever reliable Mark Fog to the crease and he and James survived until the tea break. The break did for James though as he was out caught behind shortly after. Pat went out and played his natural game hitting the ball well. This was also his downfall though as he was out caught after slicing one to backward point. The usual Briddy mini-collapse meant we were now 100-7, the nerves were yet to really set in though as we were in a familiar situation, with plenty of batting left in the hutch. Danners joined Mark (23 n.o) who was in his element and finding the boundary. The two of them comfortably took us over the line and sealed a great victory against the team who started the day unbeaten and at the top of the table. A particularly good performance with the ball and our strength in-depth of batting provided the win and 19 points, reducing the gap at the top.

Next week we are on the road again (yes really) facing a Halberton and Sampford Peverell side placed a few places below us in the table. With the top 3 made up of ourselves, Cullompton and Whimple, having near identical records after 5 games, we will need another win to keep us up with the early leaders.