Plympton III 91 all out, Dartington & Totnes II 96 for 0
Dartington & Totnes won by 10 wickets
Dartington and Totnes shot out a youthful Plympton side for 91and then swept to a comprehensive ten wicket victory in a rain interrupted match, played at Harberton on Saturday.
D&T skipper David Carter’s decision to ask Plympton to bat on a damp but firm track soon paid dividends when Plympton skipper, Tim George (6) hit a delivery from Pete Glen straight to Malcolm Coleman at square leg. New batsmen Raven was soon back in the pavilion after Jono Colegate swooped to take a catch off his own bowling. (for those who missed it Raven and swooped are almost juxtaposed for comic effect)
Plympton were struggling to score runs with Jono conceding only 6 runs in his five over spell. Angus Wilson took over from Colegate but after a rain delay he struggled to maintain his footing and was replaced by debutant, Alastair Hallows. Alastair got off to fine start- his first delivery was cracked straight to deep point, by opener Mortimer, but the sharp chance wasn’t held (There’s only one Jono). Mortimer’s reprieve was short-lived as he lost his middle stump four balls later to be dismissed for 20.
Meanwhile Pete Glen was bowling a tight line and length from the other end and dismissed Gunn-Colling when Dave Binmore took a brilliant one-handed catch at slip, reducing Plympton to 37 for 4. Alastair (2 for 14) picked up his second wicket as O’Higgins was unlucky to be stumped for 16 after he missed a delivery which bounced back off keeper Paul Taylor’s foot to hit the stumps with O’Higgins just out of his crease.
With the quicker bowlers struggling on the slippery surface it cried out for slow bowling. Mick Rusling began warming up anticipating his introduction far in advance of the skipper. Mick finally relieved Pete, who’d had a fine spell of 11-5-18-2, and was soon revelling in the conditions. At 66 for 5 there was another lengthy rain delay, immediately after which a long hop from Mick (The only poor ball I bowled all afternoon- ed) was hit in the air by Jamie Lee and Malcolm Coleman rose high to take another excellent catch at square leg. Spinner Tom Petherick bagged Giles whenMalcolm took his third catch. Rusling (3 for 13 with 5 maidens) bowled the obdurate Mulberry (8) and Webber(9) and the innings ended when last man Dave Lee was run out in the final over by Carter’s fine throw from the boundary (which Mick caught and whipped off the bails).
D&T had 39 overs to score the 92 runs needed for victory but only required 20 of them as Joe Hockings and David Carter made light work of the task.
DC initially played the anchor role whilst Hockings expressed himself at the same time playing with control and discipline. Hockings’ innings contained four enormous straight driven sixes one of which struck the bonnet of Mick’s car prompting him to shout instructions to Joe to direct his shots elsewhere. Plympton rotated their bowlers to little avail. Carter became increasingly confident and expansive and joined in the fun in scoring 31 not out. Only rain was going to stop D&T and fortunately it held off long enough for Hockings to hit the winning runs which he did with his final six which also brought up his half century- 54 not out.
D&T are indebted to Harberton Cricket Club for kindly allowing the use of their ground and facilities.
Mick Rusling