Braunton v Tavistock

TAVISTOCK were relegated on Saturday — Seaton picked up 7 points in their defeat at Abbotskerswell, so it was impossible to catch them anyway. That did not prevent the game from being a hard fought and entertaining spectacle with which to finish the season.

Tavistock won the toss and asked Braunton to bat which Alex Wallace and Andy Paddison did with great gusto, aggressive from the off and eager to seize on any loose bowling.

When Andy Gauler came in to the attack Wallace launched two sixes off his first over. Meanwhile Andy Kaitiff had replaced Tshepo Legodi and made the breakthrough with a rather strange dismissal.

Paddison swept at Legodi and made a full length delivery but only got a bottom edge onto his foot, from where it ricocheted up for Dave Manning to complete the catch. It was the 19th over and Braunton were 102 for 1, Paddison's share being 42.

A slow period followed, Braunton trying to 'start again' and Tavistock to keep up the pressure. The spell was punctuated by a smart stumping off Gauler by Manning to remove Windsor for 5, and Will Simpson bagging a simple catch from Ian Bond off Kaitiff to reduce Braunton to 130 for 4.

Mark Lathwell joined Mike Paine at the crease, and the ex-England and Somerset star demonstrated his class in a superb display of clinical boundary strokes. He made 82 from 58 balls, including 13 fours and a savage six into the next field.

He fell to Steve Nicholson trying his first really wild shot and giving Simpson another regulation catch. Braunton were 239 for 5.

The sixth wicket fell on 248, Mitchell run out by smart fielding by Luffman. Then Paine went, stumped by Manning off Nicholson for a patient 41. At tea they had posted a total of 272 for 7, which looked a tall order even on the excellent batting surface.

Bond produced an exceptionally pacy and hostile opening burst, bowling to an incredible field with only one man in front of the bat — however, none were needed when he bowled Bob Luscombe for six. He was ably supported by Sri Lankan Walpitagamage, who had Watson out, also for six. Tavistock 26 for 2. Gauler was now bowling tightly and four runs later Wallace was stumped for 58.

Phil Stephens and Andy Kaitiff tried to weather the storm from Bond with more success. Stephens survived a couple of difficult chances while playing fine back foot shots. Kaitiff defended resolutely, looking for the chance to attack.

He was undone by a delivery from Bond which rose steeply, struck his glove in front of his face and carried through to the keeper. His 25 from 40 balls had carried the total to 69 for 3 and Tavistock were up with the required run rate.

Luffman was lucky to survive his first ball, but then struck a six and four off Mitchell's third over. Walpitagamage, returning in Bond's place, had Luffman caught in his first over.

Dave Manning and Stephens added 50 runs in quick time; Manning producing a couple of sixes while Stephens was striking the ball cleanly now. The partnership ended when Stephens lobbed a full toss from Wallace's gentle off spin into the hand of Paddison. He had made 50 from 47 balls, the score was 148 for three with 25 overs left and the target still attainable.

Legodi joined Manning and the pair added 38 runs before Manning clipped a catch, gone for a fine 40. Bond struck again four balls later, bowling Nicholson, who was impeded by an injury to his wrist received while fielding. Legodi and Gauler ploughed on, and the total was 220 when Legodi was run out slightly controversially.

Gauler pressed ahead, but the two youngsters Simpson and Ben Neale could not support him and both recorded ducks as Tavistock were bowled out for 230.

So after two years back in A division, Tavistock find themselves in the comparative wilderness of the B division next year, along with Heathcote, who were mathematically relegated some weeks ago.