Devon B

Ottery v

Tavistock firsts

HAVING beaten top of the league Plymstock the previous week, Tavistock first XI travelled to third placed Ottery St Mary without both in form openers, Ian Grey and David Ball.

The home leg of this fixture was cancelled due to rain, so this was the first meeting of the sides. Ottery’s top five batters have scored heavily this season and with the track hard and bouncy and the outfield fast, the decision was taken to insert the home team.

Taking the new ball for the first time, James White bowled with good pace and aggression. The pitch was a belter and the openers flew to 50 without loss within the powerplay. Last week’s bowling hero James McGahey was finding little assistance for his seam and swing, so went to cutters early. This bought immediate results, snaring the first wicket caught and bowled. Experienced Mark Lewis was introduced to the attack and he found a really good line and length which the batters found hard to get away. He too bowled variations, picking up two wickets in the process.

Callum Worth picked up where Lewis left off, again hitting good areas consistently. He snared the Ottery top scorer lbw for 78. This was a big turning point, with the Tavistock bowlers and fielders exerting pressure. Similar to the previous week; what looked like 270+ was bought down to 246.

Lewis 2-33, Worth 2-35 and McGahey 2-35 were the pick of the bowlers.

New openers Churchill and Daymond set about the chase in positive fashion but both succumbed early. This bought Tim Pope and Dave Manning to the crease. A mix of watchful defence, good running and putting away of the bad ball saw them build a platform for Tavistock. Pope was out for a fine 48, the first of four Tavistock batters caught on the leg boundary.

James White took his time to get going and contributed to another healthy partnership with Manning before being caught on the boundary.

Manning, however, kept on doing what he does best, respecting the good balls and smashing to the boundary anything too full or short. With wickets falling around him as the innings drew to a close, 16 was needed off the final over.

Six, four, six, six and Tavistock had won, with Manning’s unbeaten century the highlight.

Ottery were gracious in defeat extolling the virtues of how Tavistock never gave up in the field and were positive in everything they did.