Devon League A division Tavistock 1st XI v Braunton 1st XI TAVISTOCK finished the first half of the season as they started it, with a disappointing loss. Skipper Steve Luffman asked Braunton to bat on a lively looking wicket and, despite a few scares, the openers started briskly. Their stand grew to 104 before John Higgs was caught in the deep for 48. Andy Paddison joined Tom Mitcham and added a watchful 20 before the economical Sean Cleave trapped him lbw. Young Barney Huxtable and Mitcham took the score to 180 before Mitcham departed for a patient 74. Andy Gauler and Cleave combined to slow the scoring rate on a quick scoring ground and Gauler's tight spell was finally rewarded with figures of 3 for 42. Huxtable played maturely for 43 to guide Braunton to 252-9, a slight disappointment after being 180-3. Steve Dembitzer picked up two wickets at the end of the innings to finish with 2-53. The Tavistock reply, as so often this season, flattered to deceive. Ian Gray and Gareth Tidball started superbly and took the score to 43-0 after 11 overs. Gray then hit John Baglow for three consecutive fours but was caught behind chasing a wide ball trying to make it four from four. His 26 showed much promise. John McGahey came in and struck two fine boundaries, only to chip a ball to cover and give Baglow a second wicket. Tidball, who had looked composed and controlled at the crease, then called for a quick single but was beaten by Paddison's throw from point and run out for 24. Skipper Luffman joined Harry Geering but was soon caught at slip by Higgs from a great seaming delivery. Geering, promoted to no 4 in Dave Manning's absence, produced his best knock of the season and with Mark Webber looking sound Tavistock worked their way back to 130-4 with 20 overs to go. Paddison put paid to any thoughts of a match- winning stand when he had Webber caught at mid-on for 19 and bowled Dembitzer soon afterwards. Mark Johnson then bowled Geering off bat and pad for a good-looking 34. Johnson followed up by removing James McGahey, caught and bowled for 8. Paddison then bowled Gauler and removed Chris Hutchins first ball to wrap up the innings for exactly 150. Tavistock gained seven points, while Braunton claimed 20 points.
