TAVISTOCK upset the form-book and confounded the cricket pundits when, on Sunday afternoon at the Ring, in the Devon cup, they outplayed a Cornwood side who occupy a league position two divisions higher.

Cornwood were bowled out for 175 in the last of their allotted 40 overs.

The Tavistock bowling was tight, Andy Tremellon setting an example by bowling his 8 overs for 17 runs. The fielding was also impressive, with two run-outs turning the course of the innings.

When the home side batted, Andy Gauler laid the foundations with a half-century and victory was sealed by an undefeated partnership of sensible stroke play, good running, and mighty hitting, between those in-form batsmen Steve Luffman, who made 37, and David Manning, who was only deprived of a half-century when a Cornwood bowler closed the game with a wide.

For Tavistock it was a famous victory, which opens up the prospect of a semi-final in the competition. It was also the highlight of a season that continues to prosper and to blossom.

The first eleven's home league game against Axminster was billed as a crunch fixture, with both sides occupying positions that could provide promotion platforms.

In spite of competition with the carnival and the town criers' competition, the match did not disappoint those who turned up at the Ring.

Batting first, Tavistock reached 235 for 4 in their 46 overs. Captain Steve Luffman, batting at number three, continued his purple patch of run-making with an impressive 78, while David Manning, with 76, underlined how much he had been missed in the first half of the season.

The Axminster reply was a positive one, and at 200 for 4 a victory looked within sight. The fall of four wickets for 19 runs changed the picture, and the visitors were left 13 runs short of their target, with the hosts tantalisingly two wickets away from a victory which, on balance, they deserved.

The wickets were shared by Andy Gauler, Adam Bridgwater, Tshepo Legodi and Steve Bray.

The second eleven visited Kingsbridge in search of league points, and found themselves facing a formidable total of 253 for 7.

John Rich took three wickets, and Ollie Hicks, Andrew Alford and Mike Crocker one each. Hicks, Alford and Crocker also made useful runs in the lower order when Tavistock came to bat.

The visitors had got off to a reasonable start, with Dave Jeffery scoring 42 and Bobby Luscombe 47 in a sound second wicket stand. The middle order, however, subsided, and it was left to the tail, with a significant contribution from Extras, to bring the total to 207 for 8, and to secure a draw, albeit a losing one.

The forthcoming weekend will see both elevens again in league action, with both opposing their opposite numbers from Clyst St George.

The first team will be away and the seconds at home.

Sunday will see the annual visit of the ever-popular Tiffin Tits in a game sponsored by John McGahey.

The weekend begins with the final tie, this Friday evening of the Lancaster Cup competition. At the Ring , starting at 6pm, Tavistock will meet Chagford. West Devon's Mayor will attend, and present the cup.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will feature visits to the Ring from touring sides. Tuesday's visitors are Shrivenham, the match being sponsored by Ayres Sport and Leisure Wear.

The guests on Wednesday will be Ashtead Cricket Club.