Caddy praises troops (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Caddy praises troops

8:30am Wednesday 25th July 2012 in Cricket By Adam Summers

UPLYME & Lyme Regis 244-6 (15pts) drew with SHALDON OPTIMISTS 202-9 (10pts)

ASHLEY Caddy was full of admiration for his Uplyme & Lyme Regis side after they bounced back to form with a winning draw at title rivals Shaldon Optimists.

Following the previous week’s shock defeat against struggling Topsham St James, Caddy’s men could have easily buckled in this high-pressured encounter but instead they showed all the hallmarks of potential champions.

Put into bat, the visitors totalled 244-6 thanks to fine knocks from Steve Batey (88) and Derek Wellman (55) before restricting the Optimists to 202-9 to end the game just one-wicket adrift of victory.

Caddy, who scored 29 and picked up 3-37, said: “It was disappointing that we couldn’t quite get that last wicket but after the defeat we suffered the previous week, I could not have asked for more.

“This was an extremely high-pressured game and the way they went about it was just fantastic.

“Obviously it would have been nice to have won it but to gain five points on them in the table and move 23 points clear at the top with just six games to go has now put us right in the driving seat.

“I would have certainly taken that before the game and I could not be prouder of the lads, particularly the younger ones, who came in and played extremely well.”

Reflecting on the match, Caddy went on to add: “Having been bowled out for 71 the week before, we were under a lot of pressure when they put us in so to go on and make 244 was very pleasing indeed.

“We got off to a half-decent start and even when we lost a couple of unfortunate wickets, Steve and I came together and put on a bit of a partnership to get us back on track.

“I then went for what I thought was an unlucky leg before decision but Steve continued to bat really well and took his vice-captaincy role on board by standing up and leading by example.

“In reply, they put together a good partnership in the middle but once we broke that we started to take wickets at regular intervals and it was just a shame we couldn’t get that last one.

“Their captain batted at 11 and took responsibility to block it out but at the end of the day a losing draw was no use to them and I was more than happy with the outcome.”

Uplyme’s next Devon League E Division clash will see them host Upottery on Saturday.