HOLSWORTHY skipper Ryan Walter admitted he took encouragement from his side’s performance despite losing their opening match of the summer to Callington Seconds by six wickets on Saturday.

The Trees have a new-look to them this year ahead of their Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League Division Two East campaign following the departures of Jack Greening and Rob Mitchell to Callington and St Austell respectively, while South African overseas player Herschelle Poggenpoel isn’t returning after two superb seasons at Stanhope Park.

Greening was back in Devon on Saturday having not been picked for Callington’s opener with Werrington in the ECB Cornwall Premier League, while he was joined by another ex-Holsworthy player in the hard-hitting Matt Shepherd, normally the vice-captain in the ones.

Holsworthy were sent in by Callington skipper Rich Brown who, after seeing openers Chris Pomeroy and Aiden Gerry navigate the new ball to begin with, eventually saw his decision vindicated as Alex Mortimore bowled both men.

Aussie newcomer Noah Pigdon looked in good touch in reaching ten, but he misjudged a leave to become Mortimore’s (3-33) third of the afternoon.

Rory Piper reached 13 before edging Greening to James Moon, before skipper Ryan Walter and Jack May rebuilt the innings despite some testing bowling.

Walter departure meant it was 84-5 when he found Mortimore at mid-on off Ryan Hodge, but May (25 off 58) found support from Sam Stacey who provided the impetus the innings required.

He struck six boundaries in his 43 not out from just 41 balls before both Brendan Harris (13 off 13) and Guy Beagley (18no off 16) got in on the act, including Beagley smoking Shepherd for a huge six as they finished on 192-7 from their 45 overs.

Callington looked to score quickly in reply with Greening (25) striking five early boundaries before picking out Stacey at mid-wicket off Beagley.

Shepherd walked out at number three, but despite getting away with a couple of top-edges early on, he soon showcased his ability as he won the Greens the game.

He shared a stand of 40 with James Brenton before Brenton (24) found Stacey at cover off the left-arm spin of Graham Wild, and then the match-defining partnership of 68 with Blake Tancock.

Tancock went for 24 when he dragged on off Pigdon’s off-spin, before Walter yorked opposite number Brown for six.

Shepherd motored to 78 (62 balls, seven fours, three sixes) before he was bowled trying to whack Walter (2-33) into the leg-side.

Pigdon ensured a third bowling point when he castled James Moon, but Peter Tancock (3no) and Ben Alford (5no) guided Cally home.

Reflecting on the game, Walter said: “We did alright really and I’ve got to be quite pleased.

“With the batting we needed one of the top five to stay in and get a 60 or 70, but after that Jack (May) and Sam (Stacey) batted really well against an attack that gave very little away.

“But if one of the top five went on like you should when everybody got in, we’d have got up to about 230 which was about par.

“With the ball we knew we needed early wickets, but they never let us really settle and got some early boundaries away which is a sign of a good side.”

With no Greening or Mitchell, Walter opened the bowling with the left-arm spin of Wild, and praised the veteran’s work.

He said: “Graham bowled his nine overs straight through and did a good job considering the pitch and outfield weren’t really in his favour.

“I know they had seven or so overs to go when they won it, but if we could have got Matt out early on it’d likely have been a different game.

“But it was certainly encouraging despite coming up just short and shows we’ve got more than enough about us to compete again in this league.”

Holsworthy are on their travels this Saturday when they visit St Blazey (1pm).

Walter continued: “Blazey are a good side, particularly with their top four, but after Saturday we’ll go down there confident of giving them a run for their money.

“With a few tweaks here and there – mainly scoring some top-order runs and ensuring our ground-fielding is better – then we shouldn’t be far away.”

The club’s second team and ladies side were also in action over the weekend.

The seconds made the long journey to Buckland Monachorum and ran into a superb century from former Plymouth player Adam Tallbot.

He struck 130 from just 99 balls as the Crapstone-based outfit knocked up 237-6.

A 114-run stand for the fourth wicket with Harry Tredwin (47) proved decisive.

Opening bowler Ben Hutchings took 2-47 from 10 overs while Brodi Wonnacott (2-33) got some late reward.

Despite losing key man Lyndon Piper for just three, several of Holsworthy’s batsmen got themselves in without going on as Gavin Cockwill (24) and Ian Mill (20) made twenties before Danny Tape (33) and Ryan Bridgeman (32) ensured a fourth batting point.

The ladies’ first-ever hardball game in the Devon League ended in victory as they saw off visiting Exmouth by 14 runs on Sunday.

In a 30-over game, Freya Godfrey’s 32 plus 24 from Andrea Phillips helped them post 128-9.

The East Devon visitors were then restricted to 114-8 as Layla Godfrey starred with figures of 2-16.