TAVISTOCK’s first home game of the season on Saturday ended up with the points being shared as rain cut the game’s conclusion short.

Thorverton won the toss and decided to put the hosts into bat with rain expected later in the day. Their decision seemed inspired when Ball was caught down the leg side from the second ball of the game by Harvey Kelly (1-48). Ian Gray and Billy Barriball began to rebuild for the home side after their early set back. They took their side past 50 before Gray was bowled by Broom (1-25) for 26.

Dave Manning joined Barriball at the crease and the pair continued to score freely but the away side kept plugging away and were rewarded when Barriball dragged a Pitt (2-74) delivery onto his stumps for 33. Churchill joined Manning at the crease, who was finding the middle of the bat with every stroke as he raced to a half century.

A mix up in communication left Churchill stranded and he was run out for 17 with Tavistock 142-4 with 18 over remaining. Charlie Barriball was out for 1 but Dylan Aucamp and Manning looked to press on in the last 15 overs knowing they still had plenty of batting to come. Manning was going through the gears now and Aucamp, who was playing shots of his own, played the perfect support role.

The pair put on 101 in 13 overs with Manning bringing up an outstanding hundred when his side needed it most. Aucamp was eventually dismissed for a quick 42 with two overs remaining and skipper Shuan Daymond smashed an unbeaten 23 from 9 balls to get his side up to 278 with Manning unbeaten on 120.

Rain at tea meant the game was reduced to a 28 over game with the away side requiring 178 to win.

Thorverton got off to a solid start with openers Farley and Tait putting on 44 in 7.5 overs. It was a brilliant piece of fielding from Sean Cleave that broke the partnership, throwing the ball from square leg to the non-striker’s end leaving Farley short of his ground.

The rain was beginning to come down and light was becoming a problem for the batsman as the game went on. Tait and Hills were still able to score freely for the away side though and the revised score was looking in sight if the rain did not get too heavy. Daymond (1-29) got the much-needed breakthrough for his team when he bowled Tait for 32, Leaving Thorverton 65-2 from 11 overs. The away team’s run rate slowed with the loss of wickets and with pressure building to keep up with the rate Bone (1-15) was able to pick up the wicket of Hills for 28. That would be the last action in the game though as the rain began to pour down at the Ring.

With the game being cut short both sides were awarded 6 points plus the batting and bowling points from the play that took place. Tavistock took 12 points from the game whilst Thorverton travelled home with 11.

Match drawn.