A division Devon Cricket League Tavistock v Axminster TAVISTOCK duly completed the formality of promotion on Saturday with a comprehensive thrashing of Axminster. Skipper Steve Nicholson won the toss and asked Axminster to bat. And was probably wondering how to chase 400 when Axminster started off like a runaway train. Pete Hayball seemed intent on scoring a boundary off every ball. Nicholson responded by introducing Andy Kaitiff, who removed Hayball with his first delivery, caught behind by Dave Manning. Australian wicket keeper Bruce Monger fell in Kaitiff?s next over, deceived by an inswinger. Gary Larcombe steadied the ship momentarily with a stand of 24, but Nicholson himself forced the breakthrough bowling Hurford, who was attempting an ambitious-looking drive through midwicket. Thirteen runs later Stuart Allsop was back in the pavilion, having missed a bouncing delivery from Kaitiff. Nicholson clean bowled youngster John Seward for a single and Axminster were in big trouble at 109 for 5. Tavistock struck a double blow, removing the Larcombe brothers . Chris Evans missed a straight ball from Kaitiff. Kevin Moran blocked resolutely for a couple of overs until Kaitiff whizzed through his defences to claim a career best of 6 for 40. Dennis Taylor joined Richards and together they nudged the score from 132 for 9 to 185, when Dave Downham produced a slip catch. Taylor drove at a widish ball from Willcock which twisted and flashed to the left of first slip. Downham caught the ball one handed and Axminster were all out. Taylor had scored 19 and Devon all-rounder Richards was undefeated on 30. With seven overs remaining Tavistock had 57 overs to score 185. Arnie Searle and Ronnie Willcock then came together. Searle and, in particularly Willcock, launched into the Axminster bowling with a vengeance, Searle playing all comers to whichever boundary he felt like. When Willcock fell to a simple catch the total was 182 for 5 and together Willcock and Searle had added 159 in 22 overs. Dave Manning walked to the wicket, smashed a four through the covers and walked off with 20 points in the bag for Tavistock. Searle finished another fine effort on 87 not out. Tavistock receive relegation worriers South Devon this week.
