Cricket- County Division Six (East)

Tintagel II v St Neot

After the showers of Saturday morning had accounted for that day's game, the Taverners were keen to get back on track after last week's defeat at Tregony, against an unknown Tintagel team. With club captain AK away, the captaincy fell into the lap of A Tamblyn. Was this a good thing? As all the way to the ground, he was convinced that the team were going to Trevone (and he was driving)! On arrival, the toss was won and Tamblyn elected to bat.

The new opening partnership of Nicholls and Rowe went out on a drying wicket and were soon parted as the ball moved past the defences of Rowe. Tamblyn came in and was soon involved in a terrible mix-up, which resulted in the run out of Nicholls to leave the Taverners at 15 for two It was now left to Clapham and Tamblyn to rescue the innings against an accurate and experienced bowling attack. They blocked and nudged their way along, with Tamblyn throwing in the odd chip for good measure. At drinks the innings had more respectability at 72 for two.

The two batsmen had obviously been waiting for some refreshments as they started to find the boundaries with ease as they accelerated the scoring. With Clapham two short of a deserved 50, he was caught on the boundary and St Neot were 105 for three. Undaunted Tamblyn continued the onslaught and was ably backed up by the batsmen at the other end who changed at regular intervals. He passed his 50 mark, which was dedicated to Nicholls by the rest of the team and continued with ease. In the last over with eight needed to make the 100, AT cracked a six to take his total to 90 before he was caught two balls later. Bunt made sure of maximum batting points and the Taverners were home at 203 for six.

With a total to bowl to, the Taverners went out to field in a confident mood. With the old workhorse Fraser to back up the exuberance of Bunt, the batsmen found the best way to score was off the outside edge. It wasn't long before and edge from Fraser found an eager set of hands in O'Brien who athletically took the catch. Only the veteran bat D Fowler provided any resistance. With the score at 60 for five, Bunt was replaced by Taylor and once O'Brien had replaced Fraser, wickets once again started to fall, although it must be said not via safe hands. A mini revival ensued as the batsmen found their way to 90 for six before first O'Brien then the subtle spin of Taylor struck with three wickets in 10 deliveries to finish the innings at 94 all out. The Taverners were back on track after a workman-like display although it must be said that catching practice seems like a good idea if the bowlers are to be kept quiet about the six drops.

Scores - St Neot 203 for six (A Tamblyn 90, C Clapham 48, M Pearce 17, N Tape 2-70, S Smith 2-51). Tintagel 94 (D Flower 26, R Gordon 13, L Flower 11, S Smith 11, D Taylor 3-13, I Fraser 3-31, B O'Brien 2-12, M Bunt 2-32).

St Neot (20 pts) beat Tintagel (five) by 109 runs.