Tavistock v Braunton

STEVE Nicholson and Olly Hicks held on for the last six overs on Saturday to secure Tavistock a draw against visiting Braunton at the Ring.

Tavistock won the toss and put Braunton in on a damp wicket. Simon Crawford took advantage by yorking Alex Paddison in his first over to bring Mike Paine to the wicket. He and Jason Lovelock added 67 for the second wicket despite a huge appeal for caught behind against Paine off Crawford.

Then Andy Gauler found the edge of Lovelock's bat and Dave Watson pouched the catch at gully.

Young Alex Wallace joined Paine and together they accelerated the scoring, Wallace particularly strong off the back foot.

Tavistock skipper Steve Luffman shuffled his bowlers and with several first choices missing decided to come on himself at the Whitchurch end.

In his second over he removed Paine, caught and bowled for 72. Two overs later Aussie Steve Ware chipped a slower ball to mid-on where Steve Nicholson caught him.

Then Wallace mishooked Luffman, John McGahey held on at square leg and Ian Roberts was stumped down the leg side by Davie Manning and Braunton had slipped to 195 for 6.

Mark Mitchell joined Ian Bond and with the score on 220 Bond went for 29 from 27 balls, stumped.

Mitchell has taken a liking to Luffman's occasional seamers and heaved him for two sixes in consecutive overs. Andy Kaitiff meanwhile had bowled well without any luck and was replaced by Crawford. Mitchell immediately launched him for a huge six before Crawford gained revenge, having him stumped for 42 from 29 balls with four 4s and three 6s.

Luffman and Crawford picked up another wicket each to finish Braunton's innings on 267.

Crawford had bowled two well-controlled spells to finish with 3-49. Luffman finished with 12 overs, 0 maidens, 85 runs, 6 wickets.

Tavistock set about chasing the huge score with some gusto. Dave Watson and Paul Tommies put 48 for the first wicket before Tommies was caught behind. Andy Kaitiff added 58 with Watson before he was well caught.

Watson's 47 from 82 balls was peppered with good drives through the off side, and forced Braunton to adopt a defensive field setting.

Dave Manning accelerated the scoring with a typical 36 from 40 balls, but with Kaitiff a little bogged down the run rate was rising.

Kaitiff finally perished having a swing and John McGahey was run out in a mix-up.

When Manning chipped Bond to Lovelock Tavistock were 165-5. Crawford and Luffman needed 102 off just over ten overs.

Gauler went fourth ball lbw to Bond, and Graham Manning was also adjudged lbw. Tavistock had collapsed from 165-5 to 179-9.

Nicholson steered the side home to pick up 11 points to Braunton's 15, Tavistock finishing on 186-9.

This week Tavistock are at home again to Tiverton Heathcote.