Cricket- County Division Five (East)

Saltash vs Newquay

After the torrential rain in the morning, the sun came out just in time to ensure this game went ahead. Saltash were asked to bat on a very damp slow wicket, but opener Braund and Durndell ensured a steady start with an opening stand of 57. Both fell in quick succession and when Marshall was caught soon afterwards, Saltash had to take time to rebuild.

Mike Martin and Ian Stevenson steadied the ship in the face of some good bowling from Booth and 13 year old Leg Spinner Norton, who bowled with great variation and is obviously a bowler of some promise. After Martins departure Ron Skinner came in at a crucial time and played a secondary role to Stevenson until his dismissal and then a primary role to support the tail as Saltash ended on 135 all out in the 47th over. A fair effort in the conditions but probably 20 runs short of where they wanted to be.

Newquay got off to a poor start when Carpenter shattered Askew's stumps in his third over. Marshall bowled with plenty of pace but the slow wicket did not suit him and it was the introduction of Braund that signalled a middle order collapse after Carpenter had claimed the first four wickets.

Ron Skinner held a superb catch at square leg to dismiss Donn whilst Braund held two catches from his own bowling. J Hawkin kept going at one end and while he remained Newquay were always in with a chance.

However, when he was bowled by Braund for an excellent 41 Saltash felt they could mop up the tail. Swetman and Booth had other ideas however, and but for the accuracy of Braund and Durndell, may well have pulled off a surprise win. Saltash held their nerve and ran out winners by the narrow margin of 10 runs.

Scores - Saltash 135 (R Braund 19, R Durndell 31, M Martin 11, I Stevenson 19, R Skinner 24, H Swetman 4-52; T Brown 2-8; G Booth 3-26; S Norton 1-26). Newquay 125-9 (M Hooper 12, J Moore 21, J Hawkin 41, G Booth12 n.o., R Braund 4-25; N Carpenter 4-42).

Saltash (17 pts) bt Newquay (8) by 10 runs.