Devon seconds A

Tavistock seconds v Budleigh Salterton seconds

ON one of the hottest days of the year the wicket look brown hard and sundrenched with lots of runs in it. Budleigh batted first with Tavistock giving a welcome return to Wayne Downham back from injury but he and Sam Willets found little help in the placid pitch.

Budleigh's J Burton took full advantage latching on to anything loose and the visitors soon advanced at five an over. Burton's partner Rice found it harder to score but when he got going they put the Tavistock bowling to the sword. The introduction of Jamie Stephens brought dividends when he deceived Rice in the flight and bowled him for 30.

Marks followed soon after caught at first slip by Goodchild for 0. However, despite tight spells from Stephens and Mills Budleigh progressed to 256, with Burton not out for 147. There was a couple of plus points for Tavistock — the bowling of Jamie Stephens, an encouraging debut for David Milligan and a superb fielding display from Nick Goodchild. 

Tavistock needed a good start, but when Goodchild was bowled off his pads they knew this would be an up hill battle. Gibbs, and Webber soon followed and it was left to captain McGahey and Phil Stephens to try and salvage something from this game; they put on 43 before McGahey edged spinner Newing to gully for 26. Wickets then tumbled — the next five batsman only scoring one between them and with partners running out Stephens hit out to take Tavistock to 100.  

Devon A seconds

Tavistock v Plymstock

ON a sun drenched wicket runs came quickly for Plymstock, any ball that pierced the inner ring of fielders flew to the boundary, Moffatt and Parkinson put on 56 before Moffatt was caught behind by Nick Goodchild standing up to Dave Jeffrey. Plymstock continued to pile on the runs but were pegged back by three wickets for veteran Dave Jeffrey and a superb spell by spinner Jamie Stephens to take 1-37 off 15 overs.  Plymstock ended on 221. 

In reply Tavistock's Goodchild was yorked for 1, but ex-Tavistock colt Tim Pope's journey from Dorset proved a good decision after he stroked an impressive 76; Phil Stephens also scored 70 and despite a couple of quick wickets falling, Bret Thomas coolly worked the ball for a fine 50 and gave Tavistock victory by five wickets.

Tavistock 18pts, Plymstock 7pts to take Tavistock third.