Newton win the weather-hit fixture with Chardstock

Newton Poppleford cricket: With the weather having curtailed all previous fixtures between the sides, Newton entertained Chardstock for the first time this weekend.

Captain Clay was able to call up a strong side with players now starting to hit their stride and, with the emphasis on youth, the average age took a further drop.

Chardstock elected to field on what looked like an early season wicket rather than one in mid-July but Newton's new-look openers, Chapman and Burton, seemed assured.

Burton raced to 16 before playing on via his left boot, bringing Cardwell in to an unfamiliar number three spot. His style complemented the technically gifted Chapman and these two laid the foundations of a promising partnership. Perhaps mindful of the strength of the line-up, Cardwell started to take a few risks and one too many saw him caught for 25. Chapman and Stott didn't last long together when a minor mis-call led to the former being run-out for a patient 17.

Stott showed he wasn't going to hang around by placing his first two scoring shots over the mid-wicket boundary, and he was well supported by first Clay, who fell uncustomarily early, and then Coombs, who departed for 11. Stott, by now well in the zone, found another partner and raced to a fine 50 but, with the overs running out, he holed out when stuck on that score.

This left the Raistricks to grab what they could and some excellent running was only undone when Mathew called Alex through for a suicidal second. He was duly run-out for 17, leaving Alex not-out 12, and Newton's innings finished on a very creditable 173 for 7.

A feast of a tea seemed to effect Chardstock's batsmen more than Newton's bowlers as they soon found it hard going against both Thomas and M Raistrick.

The scrooge-like Thomas didn't give a crumb away and was eventually rewarded with the first wicket, finishing with figures of eight overs, six maidens, one for seven. M Raistrick got the number three lbw first ball and Chardstock were in further trouble when Marsh struck in his first over, leaving them 34 for 3 after 20 overs. When the ball did connect with bat, Newton's fielders were well placed and sharp, keen to give nothing away.

When Marsh finished with 2-16 and Stone with 1-23, the game was virtually over as a contest. Clay had the luxury of tossing the ball to Stott who confirmed his man-of-the-match status with figures of 3 for 3. Cardwell added the coup-de-grace with 2 for 2 and Chardstock were all-out for 78.

By Richard Coombs

Newton Poppleford cricket