On Sunday 30th June, Topsham travelled to Petrockstowe Cricket Club, a ground sometimes used by Hatherleigh, to play Hatherleigh. It was a beautiful day for the second meeting of these two teams, whose first game had been very close and exciting.
Hatherleigh won the toss and elected to field. Little did they know that this was exactly the right decison to make, as with the third ball of the first over, opening bowler, Holly Presswell took the wicket of Maddy Ross, LBW. Hester Presswell, Holly's sister, opened from the other end and she was to have twice as much luck with the ball, taking two wickets in a maiden over. The next 4 overs from Holly and Hester continued with no score and Hester taking another wicket. Infact Hester continued to bowl maiden overs and at one point was 5 for 0 off 4.4, before she then conceded a single off her bowling. At the end of her spell, Hester ended with figures of 5 for 13 off 6 overs, earning her a place on this week's Devon Honour's Board. Congratulations! Eloise Maxa then came into bowl and during her spell, took a further 3 wickets and ended with figures 3 for 6 off 3.
With wickets falling quickly and early, Topsham found it difficult to score, but with really patient and determined batting, Topsham's Hannah Clarke kept her head and remained at the crease, carrying her bat to the end of the innings with a top score of 29. A great display of concentration. From a start that they could not recover, Topsham ended their innings on the last ball of the 21st over with a score of 57.
Hatherleigh then came into bat and knew that they just had to be patient and sensible to make the score and despite the bowling of Maddy Ross taking the opener India Spears, Hatherleigh reached the total in 22.4 overs with the loss of one wicket. This win has put Hatherleigh at the top of the table in Divison One.
It has not been a great start to the season for Topsham, who have yet to win a game. This weekend, 7th July, Topsham meet Cornwood, whilst Hatherleigh are hosts to Axminster, who are hoping for a win to take themsleves back to the top of the table.
