ASHBURTON Cricket Club Second XI were at home to Cornwood Fourth XI to start off the Devon Cricket League season. After losing the toss they were put into bat on what appeared to be bowler friendly conditions.  

Back from injury after last season, captain Phil Pascoe (32) opened the batting alongside Jack ‘Dawlish’ Warren. Phil and Jack put on a steady partnership of 75 for the opening wicket when Phil unfortunately chipped the ball back to the bowler. Marcus ‘Westy’ West then came in and, other than the bowler dropping him first ball, looked in good form as he and Dawlish took the side to a respectable 161 for 2.

Before getting out, Dawlish scored his maiden 50 containing three fours and five sixes and went on to finish with 65 runs. Matt Partridge joined Westy (62 not out) in the middle and put up 22 before getting out in the last over to take Ashburton to 215 for three from the 40 overs of their innings. 

Aware of the short boundary going into the bowling innings, the Ashburton men knew they had a good score to defend but it was chaseable, so they needed to bowl well to ensure victory on the opening day of the season.

Opening the bowling down the hill was Dawlish (2 for 20), taking the opening batter’s wicket on the fifth ball for a wicket maiden to start off the season. Alex Hayman (2 for 15) then opened the bowling up the hill. Bowling a good length with swing and pace, the batters struggled to get Alex away. With the pressure built by the opening bowlers it was up to Rob Lambert and AJ West to keep that pressure on and to take the remaining wickets.

The Cornwood opener, Philip Gibson (15), and Jake May (13) were the only batters to reach double digits, both of whom fell victim to Rob Lambert's spell of 3 for 8. AJ West then mopped up the lower order taking 3 for 12 to bowl Cornwood out for 56 runs off only 18.2 overs. 

Captain Phil Pascoe discussed the game and looked at the season ahead by saying, ‘Well, what a day for the seconds and the club.

‘We most definitely outclassed Cornwood today, our batters batted, our bowlers bowled, and fielders held catches. A top all-round performance that we should be proud of. As mentioned, it won’t be like that every week, but we win together, and I am sure at some point in time lose together.

‘We are a team and played as one.’

Ashburton take to the road on Saturday for their first away game of the season at Paignton Fourth XI’s Torre Valley ground.