E West
TAVISTOCK seconds won a tight local battle with Ivybridge, with the result in the balance until the final over.
Ivybridge put in Tavistock to bat on a slow pitch. Dave Watson and Phil Stephens opened the batting for the away team and both struggled with the lack of pace,.However Stephens soon started clipping the ball in classical style, Watson was run out before getting going and young Isaac Staig batting at three was bowled with the best delivery of the afternoon.
This brought Nathan Fidler to the crease and both him and Stephens started to dominate the bowling, before Stephens became the second run out victim for 35. Fidler continued to go onto a fine maiden 50, batting with John McGahey, Ryan Burke and finally skipper Andy Gauler who helped in a fifth wicket partnership of 48, putting the visitors on a final tally of 165-5, which at least seemed a par score, given the conditions.
In return Ivybridge started in steady style against nine man Tavistock. Jacob Staig and Fidler bowled steady lines and lengths, but with two fielders short, singles were always available.
Ivybridge batsman Harvey Johnson, ran himself out; Fidler then cleaned up the Ivybridge number three May for a duck, which brought the experienced Simon Kidd to the crease to join his skipper Jerry Clough. They enjoyed partnership of 77 runs, before Clough chased a Jon Proctor leg break and chipped the ball to Phil Stephens one 39. Kidd soon followed, again with Proctor the bowler, top edging to Jacob Staig, who took a very fine, steepling catch at square leg.
Ivybridge started to feel the pressure, with further wickets to Gauler, who accounted for danger man Benson and two balls later Griffin.
Ivybridge continued to nudge to the winning total with wickets also falling and got to the last over needing six to win, with Tavistock needing either 2 wickets or to stop the run effort.
Enter debutant Ryan Burke, who proved to be the final over hero, firstly taking a fine caught and bowled and then clean bowling the Ivybridge number 11, first ball, giving the visitors a fine winning start to the season.