Francis Clark

Devon League

A division

North Devon v Tavistock

ONCE again Tavistock's game was ruined by the weather on Saturday.

The team arrived to find the ground basically dry although windy and with a threatening sky. Steve Luffman lost the toss for the first time this season and North Devon skipper Mark Overton had no hesitation in asking Tavistock to bat.

Openers Dave Watson and Bob Luscombe made a solid start, reaching 30 without loss after 9 overs. Veteran bowler Colin Payne then struck, removing the in-form Watson who top edged a straight forward catch to square leg for 16.

That error was compounded ten balls later when John MgGahey ran himself out, going for a second that wasn't there. As he left the field he was pursued by the other players as the rain closed in and 15 minutes were lost before play resumed. Dave Manning soon joined MgGahey in the pavilion, trapped lbw by Payne for 7. Things started to look bleak when Payne struck again, bowling Luscombe with a superb yorker and reducing Tavistock to 50 for 4.

Andy Kaitiff joined Luffman at the crease with something of a recovery needed. The pair set about attacking 16-year-old Leon Loveridge's off spinners and picking up what they could from the wily Payne. The plan worked well, both players picking up boundaries off Loveridge and Luffman managing two fours from Payne.

When the partnership was worth 33 disaster struck. Kaitiff, in attempting to sweep Loveridge, somehow got the ball entangled in his arms, from where it rolled down his back and gently into the stumps. For a moment it seemed as though the bails may not drop, but gravity won the day and Kaitiff had to go for a useful looking 14.

Tshepo Legodi entered the fray and immediately put bat to ball. Payne had been replaced by Warren Miller after a spell of 5 overs, 4 maidens, 3 wickets for 41. Legodi greeted him by hitting him to the fence twice in his first over.

When Martin Gear came on for Loveridge, Legodi was even more severe, hitting his first two balls for 6 and 4. With Luffman playing a supporting role the pair added 58 in 52 minutes before Legodi was bowled by a beauty from Miller.

He had scored 34 from 39 balls and more importantly given the innings some real momentum.

John Rich joined the skipper briefly before the rain forced the players off again with the score at 151 for 6 and nine overs remaining.

The overs had been reduced to 5 by the time play started again, but this was long enough for North Devon to take the four remaining wickets in the rush for quick runs at the end.

Rich went first, palpably lbw to Miller for two. Luffman followed, playing a reckless shot to Gear in the search for another bonus point. He had made 46 from 52 balls including five boundaries.

Andy Gauler then fell to Miller in the final over, followed rapidly by Olly Hicks, run out for 0. Andy Tremellen deserves a mention in despatches for some lusty swinging at the death which yielded 8 runs.

Warren Miller finished with figures of 7 overs, 0 maidens, 3 for 34 having bowled well in the short spell after the rain interruption.

The weather struck for the third and final time. Tavistock made the journey home with 9 points for their efforts, while North Devon had 11.

This week Tavistock welcome Seaton to the Ring for a game sponsored by Mansbridge and Balment estate agents.