TAVISTOCK Cricket Club began its search for league points in optimistic mood on Saturday.

It was the first game in charge for new captain Steve Luffman, and his presence, together with that of returnee Dave Watson and newcomer Ian Law, gave the batting a more solid appearance.

Visitors Shobrooke Park won the toss, and the decision to field, almost automatic in such fixtures, was quickly justified when the top half of the Tavistock batting found life difficult on a slow pitch against tight bowling.

Skipper Luffman announced his presence with a glorious straight six, but fell in the next over to a fine left-side catch.

The wicket appeared to play more easily as the innings progressed, and John McGahey proceeded to play a vintage knock. He is a class batsman, and, if this is an indication of what can be expected for the rest of the summer, he is going to provide plenty of entertainment at the Ring. His 83 provided a focus for middle-order resistance.

John Jackson, batting, gave his strong support with a half-century that began with watchful care and ended with an array of dazzling boundaries.

Tavistock, against all earlier expectations, reached 225.

The visitors set about their task in a careful manner. Although they quickly fell behind the asking-rate, they did not lose wickets, and this finally proved to be the key to their success.

With wickets in hand they were able to muster, in the last half-hour, the 8 an over that brought them to victory, by 7 wickets, in the last over.

In spite of this early setback, confidence at the Ring remains high

The Second Eleven launched its Devon League Campaign with a short trip down the A386 — they came back with 18 points, having decisively beaten Plymouth Civil Service.

The home side batted first, and made a confident start before Alex Rose and John Rich began to get among the wickets.

The middle order collapsed and Mike Crocker and Ollie Hicks mopped up the tail, to leave Civil Service all out for 73 from 23 overs.

It seemed a modest enough target for the visitors, but in the early stages of their innings they made heavy weather of the task. Clive Johns, Geoff Crudgington, and Mark Ewings were back in the pavilion with only 7 runs on the board.

At this point, Dave Jeffery and Maurice Craze began an unbroken partnership that saw Tavistock home by 7 wickets. At the close Jeffery was on 17 and Craze on 41.

Sunday's friendly match against Bovey Tracey at the Ring produced the second nail-biter of the weekend. The home side posted a competitive total of 202, with opener Andy Gauler scoring an unbeaten 103 and sharing a century partnership with Geoff Husband. The visitors reached their target off the very last ball.

The coming weekend will see the First Eleven playing a league match at Axminster on Saturday and a cup game at Clyst St George on Sunday.

The Saturday game at the Ring will feature the Seconds in a league fixture against Kingsbridge, sponsored by Ward and Chowen.