Budleigh Salterton

TAVISTOCK's disappointing season continued on Saturday as they dipped to a 93-run defeat at the hands of Budleigh Salterton.

Budleigh batted first and rattled up 95 for the first wicket before Andy Kaitiff trapped Heinrich Hattingh lbw for 42. When Darren Mitchell followed for 1 five runs later to Edward Anderson-Bickley, it seemed Tavistock might stem the flow of runs.

Greg Evans and opener Neil Murrin had other ideas and quickly added 79 for the third wicket.

Steve Luffman then removed Murrin for 88 and Evans, clean bowled for 31, in quick succession.

This brought together the two Devon stars, Bobby Dawson and Peter Roebuck, who set about getting some quick runs in order to declare. Dawson managed an aggressive 27 before Tshepo Legodi clean bowled him.

It was just reward for Legodi who bowled without luck for an unflattering return of 1-55. Roebuck finished on 18 not out as Budleigh declared at 236-5 from 46 overs.

Luffman finished with 2-62 and Anderson-Bickley showed much promise with 1-49 from ten overs.

Tavistock's run chase started well with Paul Tomkies striking the ball well. Danny Mitchell replaced ex Devon seamer Mark Woodman at the Whitchurch end and quickly had Tomkies caught behind on the drive for 26. Dave Manning came and went for 2 to a disputed catch behind and Tavistock were 64 for 3.

Peter Roebuck was the man responsible for Manning's dismissal and he now precipitated a familiar Tavistock collapse.

With the score on 83 John McGahey was caught by Mitchell off Roebuck followed by Kaitiff, lbw for 9.

Luffman was then bowled by Hattingh, a little unlucky as the ball came off bat, then pad, before rolling back onto the stumps. Anderson-Bickley was bowled for 1 by Roebuck and Tavistock were 93 for 8.

Legodi and Graham Manning gained a little respectability with a stand of 50, Legodi striking the ball cleanly and Manning mixing watchful defence with the occasional lusty blow, including a casual flick for 6 over the midwicket fence.

It could not last though, and when Lee Baker caught and bowled Manning for 17, Legodi followed, stumped off Roebuck by Murrin. Tavistock were all out for 143.

Roebuck finished with 5 for 17 from 11.2 overs, to steal the bowling honours and 20 points for Budleigh against 5 for Tavistock.

This week Tavistock are away to Abbotskerswell with a 1pm start due to the light fading earlier at this time of the year.