v Bridestowe firsts

BRIDESTOWE were made to work hard for a win on the road at Dartington and Totnes to stay third in C West.

Captain Dan Fogerty won the toss and elected to bat. However, it was not straight forward early on with former Torquay and Cambridge University all-rounder Matt Hickey (1-54) bowling some unplayable deliveries, and James Howrihane (3-26) rarely slipping off a probing line and length.

Rhys Palmer (19) and Sam Ewen (21) provided brief, but useful contributions in the early overs until both fell to Howrihane. Bridestowe then collapsed from 100-4 to 107-8 with rash shots and some good fielding from Dartington and Totnes leaving the visitors in trouble. 

Spinners Bertie Loots (2-32) and Tyler Walton (2-18) picked up wickets, and could have had more but for a couple of dropped catches. It was down to Dan Fogerty (34 not out) to again dig his team out of a hole, with Alex Jopling (10) and Tom Boother (14) supporting him well. Bridestowe finished on 173 all out in the 38th over, boosted by 41 extras.

The innings of Dartington and Totnes were greeted by intensity from the Bridestowe bowlers and fieldsman alike, as Elliot Miller was supertly caught by Sam Ewen at short cover off Gary Sizmur (2-21) and Sam Ewen (1-30) trapping Hickey in front. 

The contest was in the balance for much of the second innings, with Chris Cook (26), Bertie Loots (19) and James Howrihane (22) getting starts, but none of them were able to go on to make a match winning score. 

Fogerty explored seven bowling options in total, Alex Jopling (1-16), Ryan Dennis (2-14) and Tom McGrattan (1-18) all picked up wickets at key times to keep Bridestowe ahead of the game. 

There was an element of relief in the Bridestowe ranks when the last wicket went down with the Dartington and Totnes innings finishing on 147.

Bridestowe beat Dartington and Totnes by 27 runs.