TAVISTOCK snatched a draw from the jaws of victory on Saturday at South Devon, having outperformed the host side for 69 of the 74 overs. They then produced a collapse to match anything England has managed recently.
Tavistock took the initiative early in South Devon's innings. Andy Kaitiff used the conditions exceptionally well and removed Matt Blackmore in his second over, caught at slip by Steve Luffman. Shortly afterwards Luffman's throw from the boundary beat Danny Johnson's attempted third run and South Devon were 18 for two.
Four runs later Oliver attempted to pinch a run to cover where John McCahey dived to stop the ball one-handed and threw from a sitting position to remove Oliver.
Aussie Jim McMahon fell next, trying a big hit against Tshepo Legodi, but only skying it to mid-on, where Andy Gauler pouched a tricky catch. McMahon, a hard striker, had made 18 from 54 balls and South Devon were 42-4.
With skipper Phil Blackmore at the crease and Tony Bullivant joining him, South Devon started to repair the damage. They added 50 in slow time before Luffman bowled Blackmore. Bullivant picked up the tempo with some lusty blows before Bob Luscombe caught him superbly.
Page-Dove had driven Tavistock to distraction edging and chipping the ball between and over fielders before Luffman bowled him.
Tavistock were slightly hampered as Dave-Watson had taken a severe blow on the hand, fielding at gully. He had to have an x-ray on a suspected broken thumb, but stayed on the field until the end.
Gauler disposed of Mike Smith and Danny Spicer and when Luscombe caught Gary Bowles off Luffman from the last ball of the innings South Devon were 141 all out.
Tavistock had a hiccough when Andy Kaitiff was bowled with the score on four, but Paul Tomkies and McCahey took it to 81 in a well-controlled stand. Tomkies, looking more confident with every innings, made 33 from 65 balls.
McCahey followed for 42 from 62 balls. Blackmore then bowled Luscombe and trapped lbw for a duck and Tavistock were 98 for five.
Skipper Luffman joined Dave Manning, and they added 30 to reach 128 four five. Danny Johnson drew Luffman into giving a catch at midwicket.
Kaitiff joined Manning. Tavistock now stood at 134-6 with 17 balls remaining when the wheels fell off their bus. Manning was bowled by Blackmore and was followed next by his father who was stumped first ball. When Richard Edwards was caught two balls later by Matt Blackmore Tavistock were 134-9 and three wickets fallen in the over.
Dave Watson now appeared to bat one-handed, and the last pair blocked the remaining deliveries to finish on 135-9, Tavistock scoring 10 points to South Devon's 13.
Tavistock have two league games this weekend, both at the Ring, against North Devon on Saturday and Alphington on Sunday.