On another blazing hot day Menheniot concluded their bank holiday batting nightrnare with an another defeat against local rivals Tideford.

Again the toss was won by Menheniot and again Tideford were asked to test the surface that Hugh did not trust. In a pitifully slow start Tideford reached 20 runs off 16 overs before reports of paint drying in the White Hart emptied the field of spectators and pushed the Tideford batsmen into action.

Although credit must be given to the opening bowlers Stuart Taylor and Dave Herbert who kept scoring opportunities down to a minimum. As the score rate increased gradually after the drinks break Menheniot started to look for a breakthrough and a change of bowling saw Nick Carpenter bring a more fiery edge to the bowling but still the wicket would not come.

Eventually the break through was made by Herbert round the wicket and this prompted a increase in the pace of the game. As new batsmen came in the pressure built up and rash shots were played as the bowling remained tight and the fielding sharp. But as batsmen began to hit the ball went into the air but unfortunately two chances went down when the fielders ran in under the ball and watched it sail over their heads. The brilliant run out of Anton Luiten by John Massey again proved vital and wickets again started to tumble with Jeremy Randle picking up 4 for 18 to return the best bowling figures. Eventually Tideford reached 170 for 7 off their 48 overs.

Menheniot's reply was dealt a blow in the second over when John Massey was caught brilliantly at cover. Again Hugh Rogers looked good when at the wicket but not so when he trudged off after looping one to a fielder he claims moved (Obviously Hugh didn't play a bad shot). Again Dave Herbert batted well and was looking very good on 48 until he got bowled round his legs by young spinner Dave Bradbeer. His wicket contributed to a middle order collapse that was only steadied by the maturing Taylor and Randle who began to hit the ball to all parts. With Menheniot up with the run rate and with overs left it was again down to wickets but they again started to fall and when Jim Harrison again last man out Menheniot had reached 144 and can look forward to some batting practice in the newly constructed nets.

Scorecard

TIDEFORD

J Griffin b Herbert..............................38

S Osborne b Randle.............................70

W Geach c and b Randle......................6

A Luiten run out....................................4

G Snowdon b Randle...........................15

M Lister c J Carpenter b Randle............3

P Luff lbw N Carpenter.........................0

S Bradbeer not out.................................5

D Lockett not out..................................5

Extras.......27

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Ttl - 170-7

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Bowling - S Taylor 12-2-29-0; D Herbert 13-5-30-1; N Carpenter 11-1-42-1; P Adsett 2-0-17-0; H Rogers 4-0-26-0; J Randle 6-0-18-4.

MENHENIOT

P Adsett b Geach.................................16

J Massey c Lockett b Geach..................0

H Rogers c S Bradbeer b Geach..........16

D Herbert b D Bradbeer.......................48

J Carpenter b Geach...............................3

N Carpenter c Luiten b Geach...............4

S Taylor st Lister b D Bradbeer...........14

J Randle c D Bradbeer b S Bradbeer...25

J Harrison b S Bradbeer.........................3

M Maiden b S Bradbeer.........................0

J Hind no................................................0

Extras......15

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Ttl 144

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Bowling - D Lockett 13-1-25-0, W Geach 16-3-44-5, S Bradbeer 6.2-0-24-3; D Bradbeet 6-0-39-2; S Osborne 1-0-2-0.

Tideford (19 pts) beat Menheniot (6 pts) by 26 runs