Devon Cricket Board - Lewdown prove point with win over Barton

Lewdown prove point with win over Barton

LEWDOWN proved they can win games without star man Marco Marais by handing out a seven-wicket beating to Barton.
South African run machine Marais went home last week for treatment to a ruptured thigh muscle – and isn’t coming back.
Rival clubs have been quick to label Lewdown a one-man outfit after Marais hammered more than 1,500 league runs on the way to promotion last season.
Marais was nowhere to be seen as Lewdown overcame a few other challenges to dispatch Barton for 85 then knock off the runs inside 13 overs.
“I know it is only one win, but it makes a point to everyone who says we are a one-man team,” said skipper Harry Geering.
“All in all we fielded, batted and bowled as a team with a point to prove against a team pushing for promotion - and the result was great!”
When Barton opener Shaun Needham gets going they tend to make big scores, so getting him out for a duck was a huge bonus for Lewdown.
Four of Geering’s players arrived late due to a car crash and Phil Yeo missed the first 10 minutes, which left them a bowler down.
Damon Calland (18), Denovan Ekstraal (31) and Mark Gilmour (14) were the only batters in double figures as Yeo (5-27) and Tallon Burns (4-43) scythed through the order.
“Tallen Burns bowled extremely well and got Needham early- and getting him early gives you a big lift,” said Geering.
“It was a good catch by Matt Witcher to get him too.
“Phil Yeo arrived and bowled with the aggression we have missed.
“Both bowlers were doing everything with the ball and went through Barton.”
Yeo missed out opening the batting and Mark Jordan didn’t fare much better.
Dave Ball (24) and Geering (27no) put on 40 take Lewdown to the brink of victory.
“Sending Yeo in as pinch-hitter didn’t work,” said Geering.
“Then we faced a barrage of balls at out heads from Ekstrall, which favoured us as the stumps weren't head height!”
Barton skipper Adam Parker said his side were the architects of their own misfortunes at times.
“We played too many shots on a pitch that was doing a lot and against bowlers who made it very hard,” said Parker.
“Defending such a low total is always going to be a challenge.
“We will go again next week against Chudleigh and look to put it right.”
Victory gets Lewdown out of the bottom two at the expense of Abbotskeswell, who dropped back after their defeat at Plympton.

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