ASHBURTON captain Lloyd White hopes lessons have been learned from the rain-affected game against Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.

The derby date at Varwell Field was Ashburton’s first game back in the Tolchards DCL B Division since 1998 – and it wasn’t going well for them.

As Ashburton were 75 for seven after 22 overs, White won’t have been too unhappy when umpires Tim Chapman and Robert Clark called a halt to proceedings.

” We made things difficult for ourselves with some poorly executed shots, especially in conditions that were clearly in the bowlers’ favour,” said White.

“I think the awareness of the rain coming played a part mentally — we probably weren’t as switched on as we needed to be and took our foot off the gas at key moments.

“It’s a learning curve for us, and I'm confident we’ll see a stronger performance next week.”

Dan Green, White’s opposite number, could only reflect on a win that probably got away.

“Shame it rained,” said Green.

Green (2-15) and Freddie Harvey, a former Ashburton player, had a wicket each early on. It went quiet on the wicket-taking front until Jack Brown’s run out sparked a hefty collapse.

Ashburton tumbled from 51 for two to 64 for six then 70 for seven as Green and Sam Veal (3-17) got to work. White was among the casualties for a top score of 20.

Harry Bannister – a former Bovey player – hit the first ball he faced from Veal for six; played the second back up the pitch and was bowled taking a swing at the third!

Ashburton make the long trek to Bideford this Saturday, still without an overseas player in place.

Santosh Yadav, a left-arm quick bowler, was due to come over from India for the summer. He has not been able to obtain a visa.

White is working on finding a replacement.