A 44-year-old professional jazz musician from Brighton made history at the Ring last week.

On one day a week Nigel Thomas leaves his double bass behind and spends a day playing cricket for the locally-based Palmer's Club — the club is a welcome regular visitor to Tavistock each year, as part of its short west country tour.

On this occasion, against the Tavistock Club's Mid-week Eleven, Nigel realised the ambition of every bowler: he took all ten wickets in an innings. Bowling his leg-breaks, he finished with figures of 12 overs, 2 maidens, 31 runs and 10 wickets.

It was a memorable personal performance on a wicket which generally does not favour spin bowling. It also made a major contribution towards a victory for the visitors by 104 runs.

Due to Thomas's efforts, Tavistock got only halfway towards the target of 208 that Palmer's had set for them.

In the Devon League campaign it has been a good week for both of Tavistock's elevens. The first team visited Bradninch,with a string of good results behind them but a doubt particularly over the effectiveness of their attack.

In the event, the home wide was dismissed for 102, wickets being shared by Andy Tremellen, Matthew Smith, Simon Crawford, Steve Bray and Andy Gauler.

Only three Tavistock wickets were lost in reaching the target, captain Steve Luffman again top-scoring and leading from the front.

It was an impressive victory, which keeps the prospect of promotion very much in focus.

Meanwhile, the second team was registering an overwhelming victory over Abbotskerswill at the Ring.

Again Geoff Crudgington and Dave Jeffery were in the runs, Geoff contributing 48 and Dave a fine 110 not out in a Tavistock total of 223 for 6.

The visitors were bowled out for 75, with left-arm medium-pacer Mike Crocker taking 7 for 28.

It was a timely victory for a side which continues to play some good cricket, but has not always turned its advantage into league points.

This Saturday sees the first eleven again on its travels, this time to Shobrooke Park. The second team will entertain Plymouth Civil Service in a match sponsored by Rightons Ltd.

Sunday will see the club involved in the next round of the County Cup. This is a home game, though at the time of going to press it is not clear who Tavistock's opponents will be.

On Monday there will be a friendly game against tourists Horsley, the sponsors being Roland Bailey, florists.

On Wednesday and Thursday of next week, July 12 and 13, the club is pleased to be hosting a two-day inter-county game at U17 level between Devon and Cornwall.

Play on each day at the Ring will begin at 11am.