Francis Clark Second XI Premier
Exeter Civil Service v Tavistock
TAVISTOCK travelled to Exeter knowing only a win would be good enough to maintain their push for promotion.
Skipper John Rich won the toss and asked Civil Service to bat.
James Brown and Wayne Downham opened the bowling and made an early breakthrough with Downham taking a good ?caught and bowled?.
Civil Service then had a partnership of 68 before Dave Jeffrey removed dangerman R Carol.
Civil Service progressed steadily without getting away.
Skipper John Rich used his bowlers in spells and Ben Neale came on and immediately took a wicket.
Neale continued to create chances and although he went for 49 runs he bowled the ball a full length and ended with five wickets. Pick of the bowlers, though, was James Brown, 13-6-16-1.
Tavistock?s innings started superbly with Paul Strawbridge (42) and Brett Thomson (24), putting on 74 for the first wicket.
Mark Webber?s 34 innings was a pleasure for everyone watching as he scored runs with ease until he was the victim of an amazing catch.
Wayne Downham bludgeoned six fours and two sixes in his fantastic knock of 39.
But Tavistock wobbled and with a steady fall of wickets Tavistock drew level and then lost two wickets to leave them nine down with still one run required.
Skipper Rich smashed the winning runs to give Tavistock a vital win and 18 valuable points.
This week Tavistock entertain league leader Sidmouth at the ring.