Devon A

Tavistock v Hatherleigh

TAVISTOCK firsts welcomed high flying Hatherleigh to the ring for an A Division encounter in the Devon League.

Having won the toss, second place Hatherleigh were invited to bat first and were full of confidence having posted 250 runs plus in two of their three matches so far this season.

Tavistock warmed up well and the team talk centred on intensity and enjoyment. South African pacer Jay Stevens made a breakthrough in the first over, bowling the dangerous Forrester for a duck.

Tidball and Jelly, with 54 and 48 respectively, batted sensibly, while the Tavistock bowlers failed to attack the sumps as much as would have been liked.

With the mandatory power play overs out of the way, the excellent spinners of Jamie Stephens, Sean Cleave and Shaun Daymond presented the batters with challenges that they fell to.

From 118-1, Hatherleigh subsided to 164 all out with Daymond 4-16 the pick and the returning Stevens 4-24 inflicting the damage.

Special mention to Dave Milligan for his excellent 1-28 off 7 at a time when the innings was in the balance.

Tavistock makeshift openers of Stephens and Stevens quickly departed, heaping a lot of pressure on Daymond and Dave Manning. Both responded with Manning playing his natural game with a fine 40.

Once he departed wickets fell regularly and it took a measured knock from Josh Stephens, batting with Daymond to add 40 for the seventh wicket. Stephens, Goldstone and Milligan all departed in quick succession, leaving Daymond with last man Lee Baker.

Skipper Daymond had started slowly and grew into his innings, attacking where he could and respecting the tight bowling. With one over to go and five needed to win, he eased Tavistock home with two balls to spare for a fine victory.