Francis Clark Devon League

A division

Tavistock v Braunton

GOOD news at last for Tavistock supporters. A losing draw may not seem to be a success story in its own right but against high flying Braunton, who boasted ex-England batsman Mark Lathwell in their ranks, it represents a significant improvement on recent performances.

Steve Luffman won the toss and asked Braunton to bat on what appeared to be a good batting wicket. Andy Paddison certainly thought so and started the innings for Braunton in thunderous style. He smashed both opening bowlers out of the attack in seven overs.

Legodi had picked up a wicket but for Andy Tremellen there was no respite as his first four overs disappeared for 35 runs. Andy Gauler and Luffman replaced the struggling duo and in his second over Luffman trapped Mike Paine lbw to bring in Lathwell.

Paddison continued to punish anything loose driving particularly well through the leg side, although Lathwell was a little subdued. Stevenson had replaced Luffman and on his season debut immediately showed how much Tavistock have missed him following his knee surgery.

Gauler was bowling an equally mean spell and eventually the frustration told on Lathwell when he tried to force the ball through the leg side where Luffman took a sharp catch to his right.

Tavistock had started to repair the damage done in the first seven overs and at drinks the score was 130 for 3. Olly Hicks replaced Gauler following the interval but it was Bray who struck first. He had tormented Braunton's West Indian pro and finally put him out of his misery when Dave Manning stumped him.

Hicks joined the party when he beat Dave Mitchell in the flight and the big hitting bat lobbed a straightforward catch to Tremellen at long on — 140 for 5.

After completing the ton, Paddison opened up a little although he had completely dominated the scoring since Lathwell's departure. His efforts were ended when he drove at a sharply turning ball from Bray and lost his leg stump, he had scored 138 from 136 including 19 fours.

Gauler pounced on a sharp chance off Bray's bowling to remove John Higgs and then struck himself as Braunton coasted in to finish on 201 for 8.

Tavistock's recovery from 53 for 1 off seven overs was an excellent effort by Bray (3 for 40) and Gauler (2 for 43) and backed up by good catching although the ground fielding was not up to scratch at times.

Two hundred and two was within Tavistock's reach when they started but rapidly receded as they slumped to 10 for 4.

Gauler ran out Dave Watson for a duck, then John McGahey played an ambitious shot at Braunton skipper Steve Moores' off spinners and was bowled.

Moore reeled off 10 maidens on the run and with Lathwell bowling tightly at the other end pressure began to mount. Dave Manning cracked when Lathwell floated one well up to him but reduced the pace on the ball; Manning drove early at the ball and was bowled.

Luffman joined Gauler and called for a short single wide of cover. Gauler did not respond to the first call and by the time he did Lathwell had pounced and whipped his return in to the keeper.

There followed a period of attritional cricket where Tavistock dug in and Braunton tried to crush the resistance from them. Gradually, Dave Jeffery and Luffman steadied the ship and between them added 81 for the fifth wicket. Jeffery, who played a stalwart innings, had made 19 when he was caught and bowled by Paddison.

Legodi joined Luffman and the pair set about picking up bonus points as the overs slipped away. Legodi batted as fluently as he has all season and Luffman upped a gear as they passed 150 with four overs remaining.

A final surge brought them to the last over needing 7 more runs for the fourth bonus point, and thanks to three wides and a four over midwicket by Luffman Tavistock made it with two balls to spare.

For their efforts, Braunton registered 13 points while Tavistock collected 10. Luffman finished a gritty knock on 92 not out, including 14 fours while Legodi managed 25 from 24 balls.

This week Heathcote visit the Ring hoping to register their first win of the season.