TAVISTOCK Cricket Club headed for the sun recently when they enjoyed a Spanish tour.

They began their on Saturday against a strong Sporting Alfas XI.

Deciding to bat first in the warm conditions, they were soon in trouble with only Mark Horwell surviving the accurate and difficult Alfas bowling led by ex-county players, Paul Taylor and Chris Munoz.

At 80-8 Tavistock were struggling, but Shaun Daymond and Jonny Smith took the innings to 124 with Shawn Daymond making a useful 42 not out.

Alfas expected an easy win but Tavistock had other ideas, and when Alfas were 70 -5 due to good bowling from John Lambert and Shawn Daymond, they were beginning to get anxious. However, Crumpton's hard hitting 47 took the home side to victory.

A high scoring game on Sunday resulted in a narrow defeat for Tavistock. Unfortunately, former Pakistan test player Farok Afzal was on the Alfas' team and he alone made the difference in victory for the home side.

Coming in at

58-3 Afzal hammered the Tavistock bowling all over Albir, hitting a phenomenal 13 sixes in an innings of 147 off just 80 balls, and resulting in a challenging 258-8 total.

Tavistock, undaunted by the score began steadily with Mark Horwell making 40 and Harry Gearing a super 65 from just 52 balls. Simon Gliddon's 31 and an excellent 48 not out from Rob Milligan gave Tavistock hope but Afzal, brought on to bowl his off spinners, pegged the scoring back and took 4 for 29.

In the end Tavistock came up just short at 229, a good effort to get so close.

Easier opposition on the Monday enabled Tavistock to post an emphatic win. Batting first against some tight bowling Tavistock began slowly, with only 13 runs on the board after 10 overs.

Sean Cleave, playing a responsible innings accelerated soon after and made a good 64. Highlight of the innings, however, was an excellent 100 by Aaron Churchill who despite the heat and exhaustion kept going heroically to get to three figures.

Tavistock knew they had to get out Saturday captain Kevin Laudon to ensure victory and Harry Gearing's running catch near the boundary ensured they would win comfortably.

John Lambert again bowled well with 2 - 9 off six overs, while Rob Milligan 3-15 and Sean Cleave 4 - 6 wrapped up victory as Alfas folded to 122 all out, giving Tavistock victory by 105 runs.

Sporting Alfas presented Tavistock with a hand crafted plaque to celebrate the tour, only the third one presented in the history of the Spanish club and a recognition of how much they have enjoyed Tavistock's company on the two tours.

With the weather staying so good the 26 tour members yet again thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it is hoped to repeat this in the near future.