Thomas stars for Popples

Newton Poppleford welcomed Newton St Cyres on a glorious Easter Saturday at the Recreation Ground, writes Richard Coombs.

The visitors won the toss and the home side were asked to bat. Lively opening bowling saw openers James House and Tim Alsford back in the pavilion with ducks. Alan Cardwell and Matt Hill steadied the ship with a useful partnership, Hill punishing short pitched bowling with powerful shots, but he was first to go, bowled for 26. Cardwell soon followed for 25.

Isaac Thomas joined skipper Kenny Clay and they combined to push Newton Pop past the 150 mark, with Isaac supporting the ever-reliable Clay. Thomas was bowled for 32 and Clay went on to score his first 50 of the season, eventually being bowled for 62. The tail, George House, Toby Seldon, Ross Chatwood and Andrew Marsh, fell cheaply, Newton Poppleford finishing with a defendable 186 from 39.4 overs.

After another splendid tea Newton St Cyres set about their reply. Pierce took a liking to the bowling of George House but the youngster got his revenge in his third over by bowling him.

Isaac Thomas continued with the ball as he had with the bat, bowling a good line and length and picking up the wicket of the other opener,Tim Alsford taking the catch.

A double bowling change saw Marsh on from the Brook end and Toby Seldon, making his debut, from the pavilion end. Marsh bowled with his customary guile, picking up two wickets for only 10 runs from his seven over spell, helped by James House "falling" over at slip to take a catch. Seldon's steady left arm seam bowling produced a wicket with only his second ball for his new club and he will be a welcome addition to the squad. He finished with 2 for 18.

Chatwood and Matthew Raistrick were next to bowl, Chatwood snatching a wicket in his first over and Raistrick eventually picking up a couple of wickets. Hill took the last wicket, Isaac Thomas taking the catch to round off a terrific performance. Newton St Cyres were all out for 122. Post-match refreshments were taken at the Canon Inn where the performance was analysed in detail. Thank you to sponsor Dave Chaplin of DPC window cleaning for his generous donation to club funds.