Win over Bovey Tracey shunts Tavistock closer to Premier Division | 'We’ll be giving everything to secure promotion in the last three games' – Sean Cleave

TAVISTOCK defeated Bovey Tracey by seven wickets to move within touching distance of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division.

The long-time A Division leaders bowled out Bovey for 165, then knocked-off the runs with more than. 10 overs to spare.

Win number 11 of the season kept Tavistock (248pts) comfortably clear of third-placed Thorverton (205) with three games left and 60 points to play for.

Second-placed Hatherleigh (233) could catch Tavistock for the top spot – the two teams square-up on the penultimate Saturday of the season – but one more win should be sufficient for Tavvy to finish in the top two.

“We know the equation, we know what’s required, and we’ll be giving everything to secure promotion in the last three games,” said Tavistock captain Sean Cleave.

Opener Jake Pascoe top scored for Bovey with 38 in a knock that ended when he became the second of four wickets claimed by spinner Shaun Daymond (4-19). 

Bovey’s middle-order batting got bogged down against the bowling of Daymond, Tom Clarke (0-25), Rhys Davies (1-35) and Rodney Mupfudza (0-16).

Sam Harvey’s 35 not out took 77 balls to compile, Albi Bradley needed 48 deliveries to get as far as 21 and Sam Russell’s 11 occupied 39 balls.

Billy Barriball (3-33) was brought back into the attack for the final over and took three wickets in six balls for two runs given away to bowl Bovey out.

Tavistock lost wickets at 25, 88 and 123 on the way to a routine victory.

Opener Ian Gray batted through for 73 not out and made a 63-run dent in the target with Mupfudza (29). James White (15no) was with Gray for the final 43.

Reflecting on the afternoon’s events at the Ring, Cleave said: “We bowled well, fielded well, and batted well – everything we needed to do to get a positive result. 

“Those are the standards we've set throughout the season, and it’s a credit to the lads who’ve consistently delivered week in, week out. That consistency is exactly why we find ourselves in the position we’re in now.”

[O] BOVEY Tracey captain Seb Ansley got a close-up view of what it takes to win promotion back to the Premier Division during a seven-wicket defeat by Tavistock.

Bovey, heading for a top-four finish at best, will go again next summer in their efforts to restore Premier cricket to the Ashburton Road ground.

Tavistock bowled out Bovey for 165, then knocked-off the runs with more than. 10 overs to spare.

Ansley had a good look at what Tavistock did and made a few mental notes to carry forward.

“Tavistock put us into bat and bowled very well on a turning pitch,” said Ansley.

“We started well again, but their spinners took control of the game massively. Our run scoring ground to a halt,meaning the pressure told with wickets. 

“We had to believe it was still possible with the ball. However, we couldn't take enough wickets to create some kind of scoreboard pressure – and Ian Gray occupied the crease to the end.

“One difference on the day was Tavistock’s consistency with the ball. We are regularly bowling 30 extras, which you can't afford, especially in a low-scoring game.”