Devon B division
TAVISTOCK first XI travelled to Chudleigh and were asked to bat. After the early loss of Will Simpson remaining opener Ian Gray and Shaun Daymond moved the score on to 37 before Daymond was smartly snapped up at slip for 10.
Gray was then joined by Dave Manning and steady progress was made until Gray edged to slip for a well compiled 38 off the bowling of South African spinner Gouws (4-47) with the score on 66. Manning and new batsman Aaron Churchill started to dominate the home side's bowling attack adding 50 in just 10 overs before Manning (36) offered a return catch to the bowler which was eventually clung on to leaving Tavistock at 116-3. It was at this point that the wheels came off the innings. Mark Webber and Shaun Cleave fell either side of a rain break closely followed by Andy Gauler and Chris Hutchins, all without troubling the scorer!
At 123-7 things were not looking good but a partnership of 25 from Churchill who was eventually dismissed for 41 and Sam Willetts (11 no) gave a respectable total of 160 all out.
After tea Chudleigh's reply was soon in tatters and the home crowd silenced as Lee Baker 3-36 reduced the home side to 13-3. However, it was at this point that the defining moment of the game occurred when the South African Gouws offered a sharp return catch which unfortunately Hutchins could not hold.
The introduction of Sean Cleave 1-37 had an immediate effect as he had the patient Ames who had survived an earlier confident appeal, snapped up in the gully for 18 to leave the home side at 43-4. The Gouws show then gathered momentum as he started to play shots all around the wicket.
Despite Tavistock's best efforts Gouws added partnerships in excess of 40 with Hunt, Foreman and Solway as he finished unbeaten on 110 off just 93 balls. This gave Chudleigh victory with eight overs to spare with one of the most single handed performances seen for some time.