NEWLY promoted Ordulph Taverners secured a good victory over Milton Abbot in their first A Division League game. Having won the toss, Folley put Milton in to bat. The Milton opening pair of Baxter (34) and Crocker had to withstand a fiery opening spell of bowling from Bridgewater (1 for 23 off 8) supported well by Smith (1 for 21 off 8). With grit and determination they managed to frustrate the Ordulph pair for 15 overs. Eventually though Bridgewater got his man having Crocker removed by a sharp catch in the slips by Credicott. Shortly afterwards Baxter?s determined stay was brought to an end by the introduction of Lethbridge to the attack, resulting in Baxter giving Statton catching practice at point. With the exception of Marker who tried to hang around, the rest of the Milton order started to crumble as a succession of batsmen threw their wickets away with ill judged shots. Newly promoted ?Midweek XI? man Mills, replaced Bridgewater and turned in a more than useful economical spell of bowling taking 3 wickets in the process. Undisputed man of the bowling attack though was Johnny Lethbridge with a lethal spell of 8 overs for 6 runs, which accounted for 5 wickets. A total of 80 was posted for Ordulph to chase. Order of the day for Ordulph was to reach the score and not lose too many wickets in the process to secure maximum points. The opening Milton attack of Marker and Barber kept the lid on the Ordulph reply for several overs with good spell of accurate bowling. During this spell, Evans was run out in an unfortunate mix up and Statton fell to a pearl of a delivery from Barber. Slowly but surely though Credicott (19) and Bridgewater (25 not out) started to take the game to the bowlers with some assured aggressive shot making. Despite the loss of Credicott to a lovely catch by J Bullock, Bridgewater now supported by Chapel (16 not out) continued to push home the advantage and safely took the Ordulph over the finishing line.
