Tavistock v Brixham
THIS top of the table game against the league leaders was probably the most important for Tavistock to win.
Tavistock won the toss and elected to field first. But the opening bowlers, who have placed Tavistock in a great position in the past, seemed to fail. South African Orin Roesstorff bowled ordinarily in his first spell, which put Tavistock under pressure.
Brixham lost their first wicket at 40, then again at 48 from good bowling by Nicholson.
Then Maunder and Metcalf put on 80 and left problems for Tavistock, Maunder played well for 39 before being run out and Metcalf hit a swift half-century before getting bowled by Gauler. He was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Caunter and Northcott, following great keeping by Manning.
Brixham ended their innings on 175-7 in the 46 overs. Steve Nicholson bowled well, claiming 4-40. This was backed up by an excellent second spell from Roesstorff and sublime fielding by Ben Neale and Graham Manning.
Tavistock got off to a bad start, losing Roesstorff and Stephens cheaply. This left them on 15 for 2. Luffman hit some nice shots in his 17 before being bowled by Caunter, his partnership with Manning making 35 until he was out.
Colin Mortimore and John McGahey set about doing a rescue job, with a partnership of 56, Mortimore making a sensible 26.
But it was McGahey who battled through the pain barrier to reach his half-century with Phil Stephens and then Dave Manning as his runners. Unfortunately, he was bowled by Heath to leave a tense finish with Tavistock still requiring five off the last over to win.
With quick singles being required it was going well when Milligan was run out with one ball remaining. Nicholson, 29no, was left facing the last ball with two required for victory. The ball went to the keeper with Tavistock taking a quick single to leave the scores tied (175-7) for 12 points each.
With Bideford losing it leaves Tavistock in a strong position for promotion with two games remaining.