THE Elephant's Nest Cricket Club returned to Dorset for a short early season tour which resulted in a win, a loss, one match lost to the weather and a significant consumption of the weekly production of the local brewery, Palmer's.

In addition to regular players and supporters the party was joined by past 'Nesters' Edmund Hulme and Chris Ancil and guest 'Nesters' John Hawkey and Dave Astwood, who all contributed to success both on and off the field.

Having lost to Bride Vale CC in the gloom the previous year it was satisfying to reverse the result and win by 79 runs.

An attacking 81 by Edmund Hulme on a less than perfect pitch,which included a lively second wicket partnership of 77 with former fellow Tavistock Colt Chris Ancil (26) and good tight bowling by all the bowlers, especially skipper Andy Cleaver, who brought himself on to clean up the lower order with 3 for 14 off 2.3 overs, ensured that the Elephant's Nest were generally in control.

Despite solid batting by Stripp (24) and Rathbone (25) Bride Vale lost wickets at regular intervals and three run-outs helped ensure the target of 163 remained beyond them.

The tour ended with a 20-over match against Palmers CC. Over several years there had been close contests but never had the Nest triumphed.

This year on the magnificent Somerset II's ground of North Perrott hopes were high, but rapidly deflated when it was revealed that because of 'unavailability' Palmer's had had to call up the services of seven league players from another club including two contract Australians.

Despite this, the top order batted well and although Palmers reached the target of 117 with two overs remaining the Nest gave them a tighter match than they expected.

With hindsight batting second might have been the better option given that the Nest had batsmen capable of chasing a total, but Palmers had home advantage and made full use of it on a splendid batting pitch.

The Elephant's Nest returned from tour to play the first round of the Lancaster Cup away against Milton Abbot. In a hard fought contest in worsening conditions the Nest just won through by 6 runs due to good batting by the top order of Tim Neales (17), Chambers (13) and a typically dashing 30 by Pete Wilson, and excellent bowling by Chris Chambers (3-10) and Ben Neale (1-4) supported well by Sampson, Dent and Wilson.

Chris Chambers' three wickets in two overs turned the match in the Nest's favour as both Baxter (36) and Greening (16) were providing an excellent platform for a Milton Abbot assault on the target of 90 runs.

Barber looked as though he would see them to it, but as ever, when it mattered, Andy Cleaver (1-10) struck at the threatening lower order and Gerry Dent took a superb swirling catch to dismiss Barber and effectively end Milton Abbot's hopes.

The Elephant's Nest are now through to the semi-final of the Lancaster Cup competition and meet Chagford at Chagford on Friday July 5 at 6.30pm. All supporters are welcome.