HAVING beaten both Linkenholt CC and the Cricketers Inn on their current tour, the Elephant's Nest from Horndon near Tavistock were buoyed with enthusiasm and confidence, however Chute CC from Wiltshire restricted them to a below par 131 all out in 33.1 overs.

Ian Gray top scored with 35 before being out to an excellent stumping by George Staff off Chris Stock's bowling; however the wicket of the day was Ed Hulme's brilliantly caught and bowled by Paul Struthers. This  was a real team effort by both sides — with the Elephant's Nest sharing the batting successes across the team, with Nigel Bell, Charlie Gold and Chris Stock all taking two a piece.

In response, Chute initially struggled and were 29 for 3 in the seventh over, but then Jamie Williams and Colin Shubrook came in to successively give the ever dependable Charlie Gold the support he needed to achieve his 72.

With one ball left from their 35 overs, scores were tied; Jon Harries 'left' a ball outside the off stump, the keeper fumbled the ball dislocating his finger in the process, the batters crossed, the ball was thrown at the stumps but missed, and Chute CC won by one run on the last ball of the day, for the loss of only six wickets – a more exciting end could not have been planned!

Ed Hulme was the pick of the Elephant's Nest bowlers with 2 for 28 off 7 overs.

A superb day's cricket with scores restricted to potentially below average on this pitch through excellent bowling and fielding, by both sides.