Tamar League A division Ordulph Taverners v Milton Abbot WITH the championship secured last week, Ordulph with only 10 players and a much weakened batting line up, looked for revenge against Milton Abbot on Saturday, who were only one of two sides to have beaten them this season. In what turned out to be a cracking game of cricket played in a competitive but friendly atmosphere Ordulph put in probably their finest performance of the season, with every member of the team making a significant contribution. Losing the toss yet again Ordulph were put into bat and against the accurate and hostile and accurate bowling of Riggs (4 for 43) were soon in trouble at 21-2. Yet again rescue came in the form of Nathan Whitfield who proceeded to destroy the Milton bowling even with a cracked bat (his third of the season) with a rapid 53. However with his dismissal, a fine caught and bowled by Milton skipper Baxter, two more quick wickets fell and it was up to Eddie Wood to stabilise the innings with a magnificently solid, grinding 60. With a late blistering cameo from Tim Smith (26no), Ordulph finished on a very respectable 178-7. The Milton batting was then faced with a consistent bowling performance from the Ordulph opening attack, led by skipper Neil Folley (10-4-15-1), backed up by equally miserly bowling from Dave Langton (9-1-25-0). With the run rate rising, and the loss of Albert Hall to Folley, Milton did not have sufficient batting to challenge the Ordulph total with only Riggs (29), Hayward (29), and Holding (19) providing any meaningful resistance. The change bowling of Lethbridge (1-11), Poppe (1-25) and a superb spell of spin from Doc Finnigan (3?41) bowled tightly to strangle the Milton innings which fizzled out on 135 -7. Ordulph (who for the last hour were down to 9 men with farmer Lethbridge departing to milk the cows) fielded enthusiastically, chasing everything and didn?t spill a single catch. A great season overall with the Taverners deservedly winning the title. Great credit must go to skipper Neil Folley whose enthusiasm has driven this team to the title.
