Ivybridge made to work for win over Bideford | Johnson works through lower order in tense finish

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

IVYBRIDGE were made to work harder than they anticipated for a 27-run win over table-proppers Bideford. 

When Bideford slumped to 22 for four chasing 169 to win, Josh Coker (2-17) and Tinashe Muchawaya (2-20) taking two wickets each, it seemed and early finish was on the cards.

Bideford’s middle order had other ideas and the efforts of Alex Hannam (35) and Lukanyo Metu (52) got them up to 131 for five. Game on.

Arthur Johnson trapped Metu lbw and that was the beginning of the end for Bideford.

Johnson went on to take four for 22 as the visitors collapsed to 141 all out. They lost their last five wickets for just ten runs.

Harry Solomon top scored for Ivybridge with 48 not out in a team total of 168 for nine on a bowler-friendly green top at Filham. Abraham Kopparambil made 27 of the first 58 in the book and there was a rapid 26 down the order from Muchawaya.

Wicket-taking was shared around two at a time between Josh King, Jack Ford, Metu and Martin Stuart.

Josh Zimmerman, the Ivybridge captain, said Solomon’s impact could not be underplayed.

“It was a tough toss to lose and we battled well to get up to a score that gave us a chance,” said Zimmerman. “Harry anchored the innings superbly. 

We were awesome as a fielding and bowling unit. Brilliant spells up top from Josh and Tinashe really set the tone and we continued that throughout.”

Ford, the Bideford captain, said this latest defeat felt like ‘a missed opportunity’. He added: “Had we caught Harry Solomon when he was still in single figures, the game could've had a completely different outcome.”

Overall, Ford felt there were more positives on show, which is a promising sign going forward.

“Very happy to see Lukanyo get his first league 50,” said the captain. “He looked in complete control of the game while part of a brilliant partnership, again with Alex Hannam. 

“Josh King’s opening spell was also seriously good. He really showed his experience and deserved more wickets than the two he got.”