Whetlor Celebrates with Five Wickets

James Whetlor celebrated the birth of his baby daughter with a five wickets haul to help Uplyme CC complete a 132-run victory over 10-man Countess Wear and maintain their top three position in the Tolchards League C Division East, writes Eddie Clark.

Asked to bat first, Uplyme started well thanks to an 80-run opening stand from Rob Thom (43) and Laurie Thomas (23). There followed a number of mini partnerships that saw batsmen get in, but then get themselves out before they could make a really significant contribution!

Mark Batey, batting at number four, made 30 before being caught and this was the best contribution from the middle order.

Overseas players, Dinnison (14) and Van den Berg (23), took the team towards the fifth batting point, but the lower order failed to contribute further and the innings closed to leave the visitors a competitive target of 206.

Countess Wear openers started cautiously and had 19 on the board before Dinnison dismissed David Jarvis for 14 with the help of a fine catch from Van den Berg.

The ever-dependable Rhys Davies then made a further breakthrough when he trapped Neil Pateman leg before wicket for five with the reply having reached 30.

Countess Wear continued to bat defiantly, but the introduction of James Whetlor changed their outlook dramatically!

His 4.5 overs produced five wickets at a cost of just 10 runs. This devastating spell of bowling was supported by one over of off-spin from South African Van den Berg that yielded another two wickets without conceding a run.

It was left to Whetlor however to finish off the innings and claim his five wickets when he took the last wicket helped by a fine catch from Jack Lamb Wilson.