THE final of the Lancaster Trophy was held last Friday at Tavistock's Ring in brilliant sunshine and in front of a large and appreciative audience.

Chagford won the toss and put Tavistock into bat. The defending champions got off to a good start with 39 coming off the first 5 overs before Thomas Jefferson (20) was dismissed.

A big score looked likely and at the halfway mark, Tavistock had amassed 73 for 2 with Clive Johns leading the way with 30.

After his dismissal, Chagford's bowling tightened up. Tony Hutchings came back and dismissed skipper Maurice Craze and with John Rich and Lee Easton hardly troubling the scorers, Tavistock struggled to 99 for 8.

Bobby Luscombe (22 off 25 balls) and a tally of 20 wides boosted the final score to 118 for 9.

Pick of the Chagford bowlers was Derek Owen with 2 for 10 off his 4 overs, Peter Nolan also took 2 wickets for for 27 runs.

In their reply, Chagford got off to a slow start, losing Owen with the score at 4 in the second over, bowled by Andy Alford, who also bowled Doug Rowe (11) in the 8th over to put Chagford on 33 for 2.

At the halfway stage, the score languished on 44 for 2 and with John d'Arch-Smith (16) and Martin Hibbs (20) dismissed with the score at 49 and 65, the writing looked on the wall. Tony Niven (14) had other thoughts — he smote two towering sixes over long-on to put a spurt into the run rate.

He was out to the second of Craze's stumpings and with Tony Hutchings quickly following him back to the pavilion, the match was on for an exciting finish.

Ashley Butler and Peter Nolan set upon the bowling which finally showed signs of flagging. This pair quickly accumulated runs until Nolan hoisted a six to win the game with 7 balls to spare.

Alex Rose, with just 15 runs off his 4 overs, and Andy Alford who took 2 for 18 off his 4 overs were the pick of the Tavistock bowlers. But after these had bowled the first 8 overs, the accuracy and penetration dwindled and Chagford's depth in batting told.

West Devon mayor Christine Grills presented the medals to all the players and the Lancaster Trophy to the winning skipper, Nick Rowe.

Chairman of the competition, John Gauler, thanked all who organised this year's tournament, the umpires who travelled from Plymouth and Tavistock Cricket Club for their input in preparing a good wicket and laying on a good night.

The organisation for next year's competition will start in February 2001 when the annual meeting will be held. There were 13 clubs in this year's competition and Mr Gauler said it would be lovely to see all the clubs in the borough playing in 2001.

Tavistock

Johns ct Hibbs b Owen 30

Jefferson ct Potter b Nolan 20

Jeffery b Nolan 5

Craze b Hutchings 13

Easton ro 1

Rich ct Owen b Potter 1

Luscombe b Rose 22

Alford b Owen 1

Crocker no 2

Piper no 2

Extras 21

TOTAL for 8 wkts 118

Bowling: Hutchings 4-0-21-1; Nolan 4-0-27-2; Potter 4-0-29-1; Owen 4-0-19-2; N Rowe 4-0-21-1.

Chagford

D Rowe b Alford 11

Owen b Alford 1

d'Arch-Smith st Craze b Jeffery 16

Hibbs ro 20

Niven st Craze b Rich 14

Butler no 12

Hutchings b Jefferson 3

Nolan no 22

Extras 24

Total for 6 wkts 123

Bowling: Rose 4-0-15-0; Alford 4-0-18-2; Jeffery 3-0-17-1; Jefferson 4-0-25-1; Crocker 1-0-13-0; Rich 3-0-30-1.