TAVISTOCK Cricket club, players and supporters, returned from a highly enjoyable, first overseas tour. The club based themselves in Albir on the Costa Blanca, playing three games against The Sporting Alfas, an ex-pat team who for the last three years have been champions of Spain. Saturday October 6 Tavistock?s first match began on a beautiful sunny day with temperatures of 27C in the shade. It was always going to be hot work for the visitors who fielded first against a strong Sporting Alfas side that included seven of their first team and four Spanish international players. An early wicket buoyed up Tavistock, but a partnership of 129 between two of Alfas? players soon set the tone for a large score in the 40 overs. Sean Cleave and Aaron Churchill were the pick of the Tavistock bowlers, each getting two wickets and a score of 235-5 was a formidable target. The Tavistock players were exhausted after fielding in the heat and with the Alfas? opening attack consisting of two national team bowlers, Tavistock were soon placed under pressure. At 59-5 an embarrassing defeat could have been on the cards, but captain Harry Geering with a steady 29, Robert Jarman with an experienced 45 and Aaron Churchill with 23 not out took the score to respectability at 158-7, giving Alfas a win by 74 runs. Sunday, October 7 Despite a 3am homecoming from nearby Benidorm, the Tavistock youngsters, along with three veterans, produced a marvellous display on Sunday to inflict a rare defeat on the Sporting Alfas side. It looked very unlikely when Tavistock, batting first, were 24-5, but a really good innings by Simon Gliddon, 49, helped by Sean Cleave 19 and Aaron Churchill 28 not out, rescued the innings to post a respectable 162. Alfas appeared to be cruising to victory at 70-2, but a good catch by Mark Kelly and a simply sensational one by Mike Morgan, turned the game around, and with Nick Coe producing remarkable figures of four wickets for three runs in just three overs, the Alfas collapsed to 105 all out, to the delight of the Tavistock team and the supporters, giving Tavistock a win by 57 runs. Monday, October 8 Tavistock batted first and brothers Andrew and Robert Jarman, with a combined age of 100, gave Tavistock a steady start with 37 for the first wicket. Robert Jarman went on to compile an excellent 67 from 76 deliveries, giving the platform for Aaron Churchill, 51 not out from 52 balls, Harry Geering 26 from 26 and Sean Cleave a remarkable 45 not out from just 19 deliveries. At 221-3 off 35 overs Tavistock were confident they could defend the total. However, they hadn?t bargained for Phil Phennick, a former minor counties batsman, who had been offered a three year contract with Sussex, but opted instead to live in Spain. That decision was Tavistock?s downfall. He duly despatched most of Tavistock?s bowlers to all parts of Albir with controlled aggression, resulting in his making 120 (retired) off just 74 deliveries. Simon Gliddon, loaned to Alfas to make it a 10 man a side match, finally destroyed Tavistock?s hopes of victory with 29 not out. Even so the match went down to the last over to result in a thrilling finish. Tavistock?s chairman, Andrew Jarman, said that the eight Tavistock youngsters in the squad who played all three games were a credit to the club and to the town. He said: ?Aaron Churchill, Sean Cleave, Nick Coe, Harry Geering, Simon Gliddon, Chris Hutchins, Mike Morgan and Jonny Smith all behaved impeccably. They played with enthusiasm in the correct spirit of the game and enjoyed much fun and laughter off the pitch, displaying a maturity beyond their years. The whole of the 27 strong party thoroughly enjoyed the five day experience, and with next year?s tour already booked it is to be hoped that more local players will make the trip next time.? l Enjoying their time in the sun are players and supporters of Tavistock Cricket Club at the ground of Sporting Alfas in Albir.
