TAVISTOCK made a triumphant return to the Ring on Saturday with a nail-biting 16 run win over Abbotskerswell.

On losing the toss, Tavistock were asked to bat and made the worst possible start, when Dave Watson was clean bowled first ball of the match.

John McGahey and Simon Crawford then took the score to 64 before McGahey, who had ridden his luck making 37, nicked Steve Scarr to wicket keeper Paul Haseldene.

Crawford, much more watchful in his 75-ball innings of 28, and Dave Manning then both fell to off spinner Mitchell with the score 86 for 4.

Andy Kaitiff joined skipper Steve Luffman and together a recovery took shape. Both men worked the spinners around and Luffman was severe on the occasional bad ball.

When the score reached 150 Kaitiff tried to hit Mitchell over the top and was caught by Abbotskerswell skipper Mike Pedley.

Pedley now came on to bowl with immediate results.

He trapped Bob Luscombe lbw first ball and in his following over removed Andy Gauler and Andy Rich.

When young Dave Downham was run out in a mix-up with Luffman Tavistock were 167 for 9 with seven overs still to go.

Olly Hicks now joined Luffman, who farmed the bowling as much as possible.

Hicks resisted stoutly, although Pedley bowled him with a no-ball, until the last over when Luffman hit his fourth six and Hicks finished the over by hitting Trent Said over his head for two runs.

Luffman finished a fine knock with 75 no out of 101 scored while he was at the crease, with four 4s and four 6s from 85 balls.

Pedley was the pick of Abbotskerswell's attack, with 7 wickets, 1 maiden, 15 runs. Tavistock's total of 187-5 did not seem enough at tea, but Abbotskerswell's Carl Mitchell left the ground to attend his 'stag night', so the opposition would only bat with ten.

Tavistock got the early breakthrough they wanted when Crawford bowled Neil Williams with the score on 11.

On 21 runs, Kaitiff had Andy Lock caught at slip by Luffman and things were looking good.

Australian Said now joined opener Scarr and moved the score freely up to 57, when Crawford struck again. Scarr was bowled by a superb off cutter and Tavistock were back in the game.

Skipper Pedley and Said now added 49 in a crucial stand, until Luffman, with his occasional seamers, had Pedley caught at square leg.

When Andy Gauler bowled Stuart Green at 126 for 5 with 12 overs to go it was anyone's game. Haydn Crocker joined Said and they added 37 at the required rate until Manning stumped Said for 70.

Said had struck nine 4s and a 6 in 110 balls and left Abbotskerswell only 25 runs short of victory. Kaitiff struck again, Crocker caught by Luffman, and things were happening.

Wicket keeper Haseldene was run out when Watson pounced at cover and hurled the bowler's end stumps down, to bring in 15-year-old Paul Hooper.

One ball from Crawford was all that was needed, with the youngster plumb in front of the wicket. Tavistock had won by 16 runs with 17 balls remaining, to claim 19 points against Abbotskerswell's 8.

Next week Tavistock travel to Axminster, who were promoted with them , whilst the second team entertain Clyst St George in their first outing at the Ring this year.