Saltash put on their best batting display of the season as openers Mark Hutchings and Nick Carpenter shared a superb stand of 197 with both players going on to make centuries. Tintagel, however, will be kicking themselves for dropping both batsmen early on with fairly straightforward chances. Following on from his match-winning knock in the midweek Hawkey Cup win, Carpenter looked full of confidence, timing the ball beautifully and lofting the ball into the adjoining field on several occasions as the bowlers toiled. Only Smith bowled with any real control and it took a fine catch by Burnard on the boundary to finally dismiss Carpenter who was just threatening to really cut loose after a fine innings of 115. That brought Chris Simpson to the crease who promptly smashed 24 off the first over he faced including a huge six over the Pavillion into the car park. Tintagel were hugely relieved when Hutchings called for a quick single after the ball rebounded off the stumps at the non-strikers end and Seldon`s direct hit saw Simpson just short of his ground. Hutchings, who had played second fiddle to some awesome hitting, upped the tempo himself and with some glorious drives completed a well deserved first league century and was still there at the end unbeaten on 102 as the Saltash innings closed on 274 for 4. Tintagel needed a positive start but accurate bowling from Simpson and Richie Durndell frustrated openers Brown and Wilson and when Durndell pitched one just slightly short Wilson pulled it straight to Ian Smith at square leg who pulled off a fine catch. Tintagel skipper Nigel Hann joined Brown and put together a useful partnership but were always behind the run rate needed as the large Saltash total never really looked in danger of being chased down. Ian Smith bowled with hostility and pace and claimed a couple of wickets while Braund made breakthroughs just when partnerships were developing as a number of Tintagel batsmen got themselves in but no-one went onto make the really big score that was needed. Part-time spinner Ray Cook was brought on near the end as Saltash tried to attempt the batsmen left to attack in the hope of picking up another bowling point and although he was very expensive the ploy did work as Burnard was caught at mid-wicket by Braund as Tintagel finished well short on 217 for 8.
