Devon Cricket League A division Tavistock v Shobrooke Park TAVISTOCK recorded a victory which brings the premier division within touching distance. Skipper Steve Nicholson won the toss and Shobrooke batted on a wet wicket. Brett Thomas was given the new ball and immediately caused problems. Visiting captain Jim James was coaxed into an injudicious prod at a lifting ball and was caught by Andy Gauler. Opener Rob Newell drove at Willcock ?on the up?. The ball flashed to point where Chris Cashell provided the champagne moment of the match with a full length dive and one handed catch to dismiss Newell for 5. When Thomas persuaded Andy Codling to lob a more straighforward catch to Cashell Shobrooke were 10 for 3 and struggling badly. After 20 overs Shobrooke had worked their way to 84 for 3. James finally fell on 94 caught by Nichols off Kaitiff for 31 runs. Richard Pyle played a couple of nice shots and was then bowled by Nicholson for 10. Phil Anning was bowled by Brett Thomas for 1. Sutherland pressed on. He broke a window in the pavilion with a six off Nicholson, and run out for 94. Thomas then removed Bill Treneman lbw for one and ran out Paul Cullingford off the last ball of the innings. Newcomer Goodman finished with a lusty 17 not out from a total of 181 for 9. Arnie Searle set about the Shobrooke opening attack, joined by Kevin Willcock and they took the score into three figures. Cashell was first to go though, caught by Pyle off Goodman?s bowling for a stylish 23. Searle was now joined by Kevin Willcock. They took the score into three figures. Willcock was out to Cullingford off Bob Ayles? bowling for 42. Searle had passed 50 now but Dave Manning set off at such a rate that Searle was content to play second fiddle. Manning and Searle ploughed on but with 15 needed to win the match Kit Hill had disappeared in a rain cloud and it was almost dark at the ring. Searle hit out, trying to finish the game, but could only find Codling at extra cover who snatched the sharp change. Searle?s 86, three sixes and 11 fours, was a quality effort and had sealed the game for Tavistock unless the rain could beat them. Steve Luffman blocked the first ball and sliced the second one over point for six. He and Manning then scampered one off every ball they received until Manning clubbed Sutherland over his head for six to win the match at the exact moment the heavens opened. 19 points for Tavistock extends their lead to 27 points over Sidmouth. This week Tavistock travel to Axminster.