TAVISTOCK welcomed Tiffin Tits to the Ring on Sunday for their 25th tour.

On a wet wicket, Tavistock invited the visitors to bat. They made steady progress until lunch, losing skipper Martin Williams bowled by Tshepo Legodi, and Michael Anstey to a tumbling catch by Andy Kaitiff off young Alex Rose.

Hicks demonstrated good control to pick up two wickets in a long spell after lunch. Andy Nutt notched up a stylish 65 before being clean-bowled by Dave Jeffery. He had added 78 with opener Steve Cathcart and the innings was gaining momentum.

Cathcart was trapped lbw by Hicks and quickly followed by Matt Hooke, caught by Bob Luscombe, who did a fine job as stand-in wicket keeper.

Some hearty blows from Ian Burrows and Chris O'Connell quickly added 30 runs at the death and when Gauler removed Burrows Martin Williams called his men in with the total 201-6.

Paul Tomkies and Kaitiff took Tavistock safely to the break on 20 for no wickets. Tavistock needed 180 runs in one hour and 25 minutes plus 20 overs. They lost Kaitiff soon after the restart but Luscombe hit the ball cleanly through the leg-side and quickly added 20 runs with Tomkies. He then edged O'Connell to keeper Paul Harding and Tomkies followed 12 runs later.

Luffman decided to take the game to the visitors, driving hard and hitting both bowlers back over their heads for six. He lost Jeffery on 107 and was joined by Gauler. Luffman was bowled by Nutt for 49 from 52 balls, including five 4's and two 6's, and Tavistock wanted 72 to win from 11 overs.

Gauler set about the task steadily. Dave Statton came and went for 4 and in came Roger Whittingham, who took to the visitors' bowling immediately. He struck two 4's and was out for 11 off 7 balls but had lit the touch paper for Gauler.

Gauler went to town and started to hit 4's and 6's regularly. He lost Hicks at 162 in another run out mix-up but Tavistock reached the last over needing 18 to win. Gauler smashed the first ball over the flagpole for six, then scampered two 2's to leave 8 required from 3 balls.

Two dot balls followed but Gauler, trying in vain to hit the eight required off the last ball, was stumped for 49 and Tiffin Tits had won a thriller.

After the game a pennant and ties were presented to Tavistock, who returned the gesture with an engraved tankard to commemorate 25 years of touring the country.