Cricket- County Division Six (East)

St. Neot v Tregony

After a hearty few days away on their tours of the various pitches and hostelries of Wiltshire the Taverners returned to find a glowing report about the Menheniot game (many thanks to their most excellent scribe). Once read St Neot prepared for the visit of Tregony, the only team to have defeated them in the league so far.

The toss was won and once again AK elected to bat. Disaster soon struck as K. Marks, who is in fluent form for the second XI, was caught in the first over by the sub fielder. This allowed Bunt to join AK in the middle and they started to lay a solid foundation for the innings as they took the innings to 45 for 1. Then in the 12th over the first change bowler Bray started his single-handed demolition of the top order and promptly removed Bunt, AK and Tamblyn for a total of seven runs.

The Taverners were now looking shakier than at any time (well most of them!). With the left handed Searle and the normally explosive Pearce at the crease who knew what was to come. They both set out their stalls and fended off the exuberant Bray and blocked the dependable Trebilcock. Over after over went by and the scoreboard slowly but surely ticked over as these two breathed life back into the inmngs. It wasn't until the 40th over when Searle departed for a typically slow 30. Pearce, now lost without his mate soon followed for a well-timed 48 to leave the score at 146 for 7. This left Dave Taylor and G. Kent to push the total along to a respectable 175 for 7 at the close.

Confident at defending this total, St, Neot took to the field. Bunt opened with O'Brien who seemed to have found an inner strength, possibly from his tour soul mate (bowling) Warney. They struggled to find a break through and showed keen thinking with a variety of deliveries.

Eventually one worked as Taylor caught Bray off Bunt. The dangerous Cawrse was next in, but went to a inspirational delivery from O'Brien (or was it Warney). There now ensued a lengthy partnership between Watson and A. Bray as they took the innings from 37 for 2 to 90 before Bunt took a sharp catch off A. Tamblyn. This lit the touch paperwork as fireworks flew from all corners to brighten the evergrowing gloom. First runs started to flow at an increasing rate as Tregony hurtled towards the target. Then Pearce replaced Tamblyn and Bunt returned. Using the conditions to their advantage they proceeded to terrorise any remaining batsmen. With some sharp fielding the wickets soon fell and Tregony had battled their way to 142 before Bunt claimed his fifth wicket and finished the innings. After a hard start to the week in Wilshire? the Taverners had rounded it off with a hard fought victory.

Scores - St Neot 175-7 (M Pearce 48, N Searle 30, M Bunt 24, A Kent 20, D Taylor 18 n.o., G Kent 11 n.o., R Bray 5-59). Tregony 142 ( G Watson 36, A Bray 31, A Trebilcock 21; M Bunt 5-29, M Pearce 3-12).

St Neot (19) bt Tregony (6) by 33 runs.