Devon B

Seaton v Tavistock firsts

TAVISTOCK got back to winning ways on Saturday when they travelled to Seaton. The visitors won the toss and decided to have a bowl on a green wicket.

Seaton’s opening pair got their side off to a steady start, seeing off the Tavistock new ball bowlers. Mathew Hewer and Joel Seward put on 42 for the first wicket but Charlie Barriball made the breakthrough for the away side when Hewer cut a short, wide ball to backward point. Tavistock kept a lid on the scoring but were unable to pick up wickets until Sean Cleave came into the attack. He struck in his first over to remove Brian Cann for 13 and with 18 overs to go and the score 89-2 the home side needed to press on. Their aggression meant there were lots of chances for the away side and Cleave was ripping through Seaton’s middle order. He removed Ollie Pinnock, Josh Cann and Stephen Pritchard for single figure scores.

Opener Joel Seward went to an excellent 50 but he was out for 60 looking to press the game on. Ben Morgan and Chris Applin chipped in with 28 and 25 respectively in the final overs but Seaton were all out in the final over for 174, Sean Cleave finishing with figures of 6-40.

Tavistock’s run chase began much like Seaton’s innings. Billy Barriball and Ian Gray put on a steady partnership at the top of the order. Gray was the first to go for 18, bowled by Joel Seward looking to sweep. James White came in at number three and looked in excellent touch. He raced to 18 from 12 balls before being run out by Ben Morgan. Tavistock were 74-2 and were looking in cruise control with Billy Barriball at the crease. He fell shortly after White for 41 and the score was now 86-3 and Seaton thought they had a sniff.

Skipper, Shaun Daymond and Charlie Barriball settled any nerves in the away dressing room. Daymond steadied the ship whilst Charlie counter-attacked to take the game away from the home side.

Daymond was eventually out for 25 but a 44-run partnership in quick time with Barriball had all but won the game. Seaton picked up a few wickets towards the end of the chase, Charlie Barriball was bowled for 38 from 30 balls by Phillip Collins and Dylan Aucamp was caught and bowled by Tim Mitchell for 3 but it was too little too late. Rob Bone and Sean Cleave got their side home with 20 balls to spare.

Tavistock now move into third, 26 points behind Abbotskerswell in second place who they face in a fortnights time in a crunch game at the top of the table.