Devon League B division

Tavistock 1st XI v Exeter St James 1st XI

TAVISTOCK made the trip to Topsham to play the final game of the season ? the stakes were high, Tavistock needed nine points to ensure promotion and St James needed to win to remain in the division.

St James won the toss and put Tavistock in to bat on an uneven wicket. The visitors lost their first wicket when Phil Stephens was given a debatable lbw decision.

Tavistock soon lost Roesstorff and Searle and found themselves at 30 for 3.

Luffman and Manning steadied the ship with a partnership of 58 runs. This was followed by a further partnership of 54 runs between Manning and Mortimore. Manning was eventually out for a fine innings of 52.

Tavistock scrambled to a finishing total of 171 runs.

Exeter St James started their reply against some tight bowling. The pressure told and Haysom was caught and bowled superbly by Roesstorff.

Evans and Cake then started to gain some confidence and hit some lusty boundaries.

This partnership was ended by Gauler with his first ball, removing Cake for 17. Gauler was to end his spell with figures of 3 for 8.

Meanwhile at the other end Arnie Searle was building up some pace. Searle blasted through the lower order and took the final St James wicket with the score on 75.

This result gave Tavistock 18 points and sends them straight back to the A division a season after being relegated. Exeter St James can look forward to C division cricket.