A 162-run win for Whitchurch was not what was required for Cleeve on their past players day as the batting unit failed last Saturday.

Electing to bat first, Cleeve’s day started well against Whitchurch with Joe Hance dismissing James Gammon first ball LBW at 0-1. 

Matthew Williams was next to depart for 16, after he was caught by wicketkeeper Tom Carpenter to Glenn Lewin (8-1-41), 27-2. 

Mitch Want was unsuccessful in his first bowl of the season as Whitchurch added 109 runs, before Connor Hance castled Josh Milton for 53.

 A move to spin secured more success as off spinner Alfie Parsons (4 overs 1 for 16) removed William Beedell for 13 via a Sam Williams catch at 160 for 4, as left arm wrist spin from skipper Sam Williams claimed three wickets to remove Paul Dury (1) for LBW and then bowling Nick Beedell (0) and Spencer Gammon (10), to end with solid figures (7-23-26) with Whitchurch on180-7. 

Max Viney was unsuccessful in his two overs as 60 more runs were added before second spells brought further success as Connor Hance removed top scorer Josh Milton for 97 and Joe Hance removed James England for 20, caught Parsons with Whitchurch posting 245-9 at the break.

It was not Cleeve's day as Williams was adjudged run out for 12 at 27-1. Want was removed by James England, caught for just 11, as Lewin was bowled first ball to leave Cleeve at 31-3. 

Parsons and Connor Hance threatened before Parsons (12) was caught and Ben Pinkney was then bowled for no score, both by England. Connor Hance demise caught off Charlie Beedell for a top score of 21 at 66-6. Joe Hance (4) was adjudged LBW and Viney (0) caught and bowled, both by Beedell.

Jack Spiers was bowled for one to provide England with a fifer as Carpenter (2) was last to depart bowled by Williams, leaving Alex Soch not out 12 and Cleeve all out for just 83 in the 18th over.

Cleeve return to league action this Saturday at Lodway as they remain second in the league to Whitchurch.