Late controversy leaves sour taste (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Late controversy leaves sour taste

8:30am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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SKIPPER Ashley Caddy reckons his side had reasons to feel aggrieved after Yelverton escaped with an acrimonious two-wicket victory on Saturday.

The visitors were eight wickets down and still needed 12 runs to win when Uplyme & Lyme Regis appealed for what they thought was a regulation catch behind.

But neither the standing umpire nor the batsman in question, R West, moved an inch amid a unanimous celebration from the disbelieving home side.

Words were exchanged between fielders and the batsman as the match became embroiled in controversy.

To compound matters for Uplyme, West steered Yelverton over the line with an undefeated 61 to win this Devon League D Division East clash.

Asked for his thoughts on the major flashpoint, Caddy said: “Everyone heard the nick but their umpire didn’t give it out and the batsman didn’t walk.

“We couldn’t do a lot about it but it got heated out there and things were said because that wicket would have put us in with a really good chance of winning.

“I would have backed us to win the match if that had gone our way. Their captain came and apologised to us after the game and said he was embarrassed.”

Despite suffering their fourth defeat of the season, Caddy insists he witnessed signs of improvement even though Lady Luck proved elusive.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment but the performance was a lot better and I couldn’t fault the guys, they are all pulling in the same direction,” he added.

“We are just missing that bit of luck at the moment. Maybe we thought we had won it when we had them 98-6 but we didn’t finish the match off.”

Ben Whittington (48) injected some impetus into the home side’s innings after the loss of early wickets before Adam Caddy (50) kept up the momentum.

His brother Ashley, whose unbeaten 65 solidified the lower order, ran him out but tailenders Derek Wellman (14) and Steve Batey (6 not out) ensured the hosts batted out their overs.

In reply, new ball merchant Batey (2-37) claimed two early victims while captain Caddy (2-57) turned the screw as Yelverton slumped to 53-3.

This soon became 98-6 with Adam Caddy (1-41) getting in on the act but the visitors regrouped and edged their way towards their victory target of 211.

Neil Price (2-46) joined the wicket brigade before the atmosphere turned sour with West’s reprieve overshadowing events.

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