Devon B

Tavistock firsts v Bideford

TAVISTOCK first team’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday when they were on the wrong side of a thrilling game at the Ring. Tavistock hosted Bideford who were second in the league in a top of the table clash.

The home side’s Tavistock’s stand in skipper, Billy Barriball won the toss and decided to bowl, backing his side to chase whatever was posted with a long batting line-up.

Tavistock’s new ball bowlers, Dylan Aucamp and David Milligan started excellently. Aucamp, who was excellent again picked up two wickets early on, removing Matt Shepherd for 2. Milligan then removed Bideford’s overseas player for 8 and Aucamp got his second soon after bowling Oliver Hannam for a duck and the away side were 26-3.

James Ford and captain, Paul Heard rebuilt for the away side who were in desperate need of a partnership. Sean Cleave came on first change and bowled a superb spell and managed to get his side the crucial breakthrough as Ford and Heard were looking to gather momentum. Cleave trapped Ford lbw for 37 with the scoreboard now reading 100-4.

Heard went past 50 and was starting to put pressure back on the home team’s bowlers. Jamie Lathwell came in at six and provided excellent foil for Heard who was really upping the momentum. He went to an outstanding century under pressure and had put his team in a superb position.

Aucamp came back into the attack with 10 overs to go and removed Bideford’s skipper for 102 as he tickled the ball to Dave Manning behind the stumps. The away side were on 194-5 with 10 overs to go but some excellent bowling from Billy Barriball meant the away side did not kick on. Barriball took three wickets in an over and Bideford’s lost impetus towards the end as they posted a respectable 237-9.

Tavistock’s run chase did not get off to the ideal start with Ian Gray being bowled by pumped up Heard for 5.

Heard took his second wicket shortly after when he removed Churchill for just 11 and Tavistock were in a spot of bother at 37-2.

Dave Manning and Billy Barriball formed a much-needed partnership for the home side and got their side up to the 100 mark but left-arm spinner Martin Stewart gave his side the breakthrough when Manning edged the ball to first slip, who took an excellent sharp catch for 41.

Barriball went to yet another half-century but was unfortunately removed for 50 when a Mike Lemmings ball kept low and clean bowled him. Tavistock needed partnerships and James White and Aucamp looked like they were building one but Stewart picked up his second when he clean bowled Aucamp for 10.

White was batting excellently but he was bowled by Jamie Lathwell for 30 and Tavistock needed another 56 runs to win the game and when Rob Milligan was run out for 0 the game looked settled. Sean Cleave and Rob Bone had other ideas though batting sensibly to take the game as deep as they could and they did just that. The pair put on 39 and put their side in a position where they needed three runs from the final over.

Bideford captain Heard went to his left arm spinner for the final over. The over started with two dot balls and with pressure building Cleave went for the big shot to win the game, only to be caught at long-off for an outstanding 41.

Bone was now on strike with the pair crossing for the wicket and he was able to get a single from his first delivery. New batsman Andy Gawler was unable to score from the final two balls and despite confusion at the end as Tavistock tried to run two after Bideford’s wicket keeper threw the ball in the air in celebration the umpires deemed the ball dead and Bideford won by one run.

Bideford beat Tavistock by one run.