Saturday, September 15

LWC?Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Division Four county final at Constantine CC

Launceston seconds 86 all out (38.4 overs)

Veryan 87-3 (28 overs)

LAUNCESTON?seconds were left to rue a poor batting display as Veryan were crowned Division Four county champions after a seven-wicket victory at Constantine.

On a pitch which had plenty in it for the bowlers, Veryan struck in the first over as stand-in opener Ryan Christophers was brilliantly caught at slip off Alex Pearce.

The experienced David Cox and Phil Spry then set about laying a platform, and although they took their time they took the score to 47-1 before Spry was bowled by Pearce for 19.

From there on in, Launceston collapsed spectacularly against the spin of Andrew Pearce (2-18 off ten overs) and John Chaffin (3-14 off eight).

Cox ran himself out for 27 before Chaffin clean bowled David Sillifant for just five.

Progress was extremely slow as wickets continued to tumble, many to premeditated shots.

When Ethan Green was caught on the boundary for four, Launceston were 72-9, although Tom Davey and Melissa Zillwood added 14 for the last wicket before Davey was caught at midwicket.

Launceston knew they needed wickets from the off and they struck in the first over.

After Ryan Christophers had gone for 11, Ben Humphries could only edge the ball into the hands of Ashley Taylor in the gully.

Hopes were raised even further when key player Chaffin was well caught by stand-in wicket-keeper Sillifant as he flashed hard at a short and wide ball from Christophers (2-25 off ten) to make it 13-2.

From then on, despite having plenty of luck, opener Arron Davey and new batsman James Fryer survived knowing that as long as they stayed at the crease, they would win the game.

Fryer was bowled by skipper Matthew Bloomfield (1-30 off ten), but umpire Martin Rolfe called a no-ball.

They put on 38 in nearly 20 overs before Fryer (13) eventually had his middle-stump knocked back by Bloomfield.

With 35 still needed, Launceston had a slight chance but that was soon extinguished by Alex Pearce who made 20 not out off 22 balls.

Davey was unbeaten on 29 from 78 balls and had done an excellent job in the circumstances.

Despite missing a couple of key players, Launceston know that they will need to improve considerably if they are to survive in?Division Three East next summer.