Tavistock first XI v

Plymouth Civil Service

THE highlight of this game was without doubt a remarkable nine sixes in a row by Tavistock player Steve Dembitzer from South Africa.

The unfortunate bowler, off spinner Phil Mallett, saw his first six deliveries dispatched over various parts of the pavilion, and then proceeded to watch his first three deliveries of his second over go the same way. Fortunately for him the ninth six enabled Dembitzer to reach his hundred, prompting his retirement to save the unfortunate bowler more punishment.

Dembitzer went from 50 to 100 in nine shots. Earlier Plymouth Civil Service had reached 197 for seven, with good efforts from N Piddock 67, V Laki 41 and N Piddock 28.

Again Steve Dembitzer was to the fore with 4-22, and apart from Dembitzer's fireworks Chris Hutchins made a solid 25, while Tony Geering reached a quick 42 — giving Tavistock a comfortable victory by seven wickets with 15 overs to spare.

Friendly

Tavistock v Whitmore

AN enjoyable midweek game saw tourists Whitmore beat Tavistock by four wickets.

Tavistock started well with Steve Dembitzer and Dom Scaglioni putting on 40 for the first wicket, before both fell in successive overs. Tavistock's youngsters, 15-year-old Josh Stephens and 13-year-old Rhys Davies, struggled to maintain the run rate before Rob Jarman showed the way with a steady 57 not out, that posted a competitive 158 in 35 overs.

Whitmore struggled early on against Jon Smith and Brett Thomas, but J Degg with 56 kept the scoreboard ticking.

Rogalski and Hagan took over in the latter stages, to give Whitmore the win by four wickets.

Tavistock's young bowlers kept going well to make it a close run thing, with Jonty Newton, another 13-year-old, taking 2-26.

Devon League B Division

Tavistock Second XI

v Plymouth Thirds

THIS was the last league game of the season, and Tavistock took on champions Plymouth Thirds, who had not lost a game all season.

Tavistock were put into bat on a bowler friendly pitch. First to go was Nick Goodchild, trapped lbw by Phil Barrow, who has played in the Sri Lankan premier league. Kadulka was bowling big inswingers and he bowled Webber for 0 and Scaglioni soon followed for two; Joshua Stephens was bowled leg stump and Tavistock were in big trouble at 13 for 4.

This was the the first time Kadulka had done this to a side; he took 6 for 12 when Chudleigh were bowled out for 42.

Captain John McGahey was joined by James Kaminski and they dug in to try to save the game. The first chance to increase the score came in the form of two full tosses from Barrow which McGahey drove away to the cover boundary.

McGahey and Kaminski saw off the opening bowlers and started to score more freely from the second string bowling.

McGahey hit the ball to the deep cover boundary and called for two and was run out for exactly 50 with the partnership on 101. This was his third 50 in the last three league innings.

Kaminski continued to score freely, going on to 63 before he was out and a quick 16 from Wayne Downham gave Tavistock a fighting total of 154.

Plymouth found the going as difficult as Tavistock on this pitch. Accurate spells by Wayne Downham and Lee Baker kept the score down to 19 off 10 overs. The pressure told when Barlow called Watson through for a third run to the cover boundary, but an accurate throw from Mark Webber ran him out. Barlow then mis-timed a drive to Kaminski at mid-off. Thompson soon followed with a leading edge caught by John McGahey at short extra cover and Plymouth were in trouble.

Then came the spell that won the match. Steve Bray bowled top batsman Kamdampully for 13 after beating him in the flight; this was a vital wicket.

This was the beginning of the end for Plymouth. Dave Jeffery chipped in with two wickets, but Steve Bray's figures of 12 overs, seven maidens and four for seven were match winning figures. Plymouth were all out for 98.

This was a great win for Tavistock, and saw them end up in the top half of the league, after being at the foot of the table for most of the season.

lThis week there is a friendly at 1.30pm at the Ring.