TAVISTOCK swept to the head of the B division of the Devon League with a convincing 5-wicket victory over Exeter St James on Saturday.
With only one game of the summer's campaign to come, promotion to the A division is now assured, and the odds are that Tavistock will go up in style, as champions.
This was always the number one priority for the club this season, and its realisation is a tribute to the players, and particularly to captain Steve Luffman, who showed leadership and confidence throughout. His personal contribution with the bat has also been a significant cause of the success.
On Saturday there were honours for another of the Ring's batting heroes. David Manning, continuing to enjoy a purple patch, scored an undefeated half century to secure a victory and garner maximum points.
His form during the last half of the summer has underlined the extent to which he was missed when injury sidelined him for the first part of the season.
His rescue act came on Saturday after the East Devon side had been dismissed for 130, an innings in which Tshepo Legodi had posted a season-best analysis of 6 for 15, with Simon Crawford weighing in with 3 for 31.
After some disappointments in recent seasons, this victory has lifted spirits at the Ring.
Sporting success at every level has a lot to do with confidence, and confidence is at the moment a commodity that can be sensed on the wind within miles of the Ring.
The seconds, at home to their counterparts from Exeter St James, were hoping to be part of a weekend double, but sadly it did not work out that way.
The visitors posted a target of 167 which proved well out of reach for the home side; Bobby Luscombe's 26 apart, the Tavistock batting put up little resistance, and an all-out total of 67 gave the visitors a clear margin of victory.
The side's position in the table now depends on the final round of matches next Saturday, in which Tavistock travel to Abbotskerswell.
Other fixtures at the Ring in the forthcoming week include the last B division appearance of the first eleven, who face Bradninch on Saturday in a game sponsored by Rowan Edwards, Plymouth Road.
Visitors Woodland Fort and Old Whitgiftians make welcome visits to the Ring on Sunday and Monday, and the latter match is sponsored by Astbury Travel.
On Thursday Mansbridge and Balment, Estate Agents, will sponsor the annual visit of those canny gents who call themselves Cornwall Over 50s.
The Tavistock club is always happy to entertain former players and a special guest on Saturday was David Gordon, now living in Bristol. Fifty-one years ago young David, playing for the club in its special centenary match, so impressed visiting county officials that he was subsequently selected to play for Devon against Dorset.