Devon Senior Cup
Torquay v Tavistock
AFTER reaching the semi-final of the Devon Senior Cup last year Tavistock fell at the first hurdle against Torquay.
Having won the toss and asked Torquay to bat first, Tavistock looked well placed at 22-2.
Andy Kaitiff, a new recruit, made the breakthrough, assisted by a stunning catch in the gully by Dave Watson. The fall of the second wicket brought Sean Needham to the crease to join Tim Western.
Together they added 87 runs in 43 minutes, Needham in particular playing shots all around the ground.
He was finally out for 52.
Torquay closed on 240-7 with Tim Western having carried his bat for 92 not out.
Kaitiff was the pick of the Tavistock bowlers, finishing with 2 for 24 from his 8 overs, ably supported by Dave Jeffery with 1-43.
Losing Dave Watson in the second over did not improve Tavistock's prospects. John McGahey came to the wicket and quickly settled into his stride, hitting cleanly over the on side field.
Unfortunately for McGahey Tavistock were losing wickets regularly at the other end.
Skipper Steve Luffman played a couple of belligerent shots, one six in his 18 going clear out of the ground, and Dave Jeffery hit a defiant 15.
Towards the end McGahey finally perished on 84. He was caught in the deep by Torquay skipper Ben Passenger. Passenger had earlier taken 2-26 and with Marcus Green 4-4 had removed the dangerous Tavistock middle order. Tavistock finished on 179 all out, 61 runs short.
On Sunday Tavistock return to league action with the visit of South Devon. The game will be played at Kelly College due to foot and mouth restrictions at the Ring.