Cricket- County Division Eight

Duloe v Looe

Duloe resembled an aviary on Saturday as this vital top of the table clash was played in an excellent sporting spirit. Duloe elected to bat and soon the varying ball flight of Joyce and Mason had the homeside mesmerised.

At 15-7 it looked as if there was a full home migration by the homeside, but enter Chris Elford who strutted around the wicket like an elegant peacock and started to take the fight to Looe. One memorable straight six had the onlooking 'twitchers' cooing at his courage. Elford found support from youngster Conway who played carefully and gave the home score respectability.

Looe fielding was showing full plumage with a swallow dive from the mature Balman being the pick of the 'twitchers' treats as he pulled off an incredible slip catch. A dive which Elford was to copy with great effect later in the afternoon.

The Looe innings started to imitate their rivals with a further two additions to the duck family. Runs were very hard to find and at 38 - 8 it looked over for Looe. Conway and Julian were as mean as the Looe bowlers.

McMillan and Mason had preened themselves before batting and had decided on a cautious approach and so it was to be their day. Hawk-eyed they watched every ball and slowly reached the total. On a day in which eight ducks had been registered there was only won true winner - the camaraderie of the two teams and everybody set on having some fun!

Scores - Duloe 72 (C.Elford 43, A.Conway 13. A.Joyce 5-28, Matthews 2-5). Looe 73-8 (J.Mason 18 not out, M.MacMillan 13 n.o., P.Newnham 10; Conway 3-27, Julian 3-8, Fry 2-16).

Looe (17) bt Duloe (five) by two wkts.