TAVISTOCK can look forward to Premier Division cricket again next season after surviving their first season back in the top-flight for a generation.

The last time Tavistock were in the top-flight was way back in 2006 and they went straight back down again. You have to go back to 1988 under the captaincy of the late Stuart Munday for the last time Tavistock played successive seasons in the Premier Division.

For current captain Sean Cleave it was a case of ‘mission accomplished’. Finishing sixth out of ten was a respectable outcome.

“The lads should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved,” said Cleave.

“We set out to retain our place in the Premier Division, and we’ve done exactly that. I genuinely believe we fully deserved it.”

Cleave and co were under no illusions how different getting up and staying up would be and were braced for some pastings along the way.

Old rivals Plymouth imposed a 132-run defeat on Tavistock, who were eight-wicket losers to eventual champions Paignton after being bowled out for 86.

There were near misses batting second against Sandford (lost by two runs), Cornwood (six) and Bradninch & Kentisbeare (15).

Highlights included walloping Sidmouth by 199 runs, turning Exeter over by 152 runs, a nail-biting two-wicket win against Hatherleigh and an eight-wicket verdict in the Cornwood rematch.

Tavistock also reached the last four of the Tiflex Devon Cup, where they went out to Paignton.

Top batting performers for Tavistock were Elliot Hamilton – 518 runs at nearly 40 – then Rhys Davies (314 @26.17). West Indian Joshua Dorne, a late-season substitute for departed overseas player Ahmad Hasan, scored 213 runs in five hits at an average of 53.25.

Left-arm spinners Tom Clarke (30) and Hamilton (28) were the stand-out bowlers.

Said Cleve: “It’s been a season of highs, lows and lessons, but ultimately, one that can only be viewed as a huge success for the club.

“We’ve played some really good cricket and, inevitably, had some big beatings along the way.

“We’ve also had some really magical moments up at the Ring, beating some proper top-quality teams and proving that we can compete at this level.

“Now it’s time to enjoy a well-earned break before we start preparing for next season.”

Meanwhile, Bridestowe & Belstone’s A Division season came to a soggy conclusion when their game against Bovey Tracey was rained off.

The men from Millaton had an indifferent season – they finished eighth – not helped by losing Devon pace bowler Craig Penberthy and prolific run getter Kian Burns for parts of it.

Shay Glasgow’s 559 Saturday afternoon runs put him out in front on the batting list. He scored nearly 600 more in the North Devon League. Burns got to 467.

Despite a five-game hiatus due to a broken hand, Penberthy still headed the wicket-taking table with 27 at around 10 runs each.

Lastly, Lewdown’s last chance of dodging relegation from the E Division East went out of the window when their game against Bridestowe & Belstone 2nd XI was rained off.

Lewdown had to beat their nearest neighbours AND hope Whitchurch lost to champs in waiting Babbacombe to dodge the drop.

As neither game was played there was no change in the league table. Lewdown go down alongside Paignton 3rd XI. Whitchurch stayed up by six points.