Ghosh (pictured) tans Tavistock for a ton as Hatherleigh clinch promotion with game to spare | 'Hopefully, we can get over the line to win our first league title' – captain Rob Cockwill
HATHERLEIGH are guaranteed one of the two promotion slots out of the Tolchards DCL A Division after walloping title rivals Tavistock by 163 runs.
The first-against-second clash was billed as a potential promotion and title decider – and so it turned out.
Hatherleigh cannot be caught by third-placed Thorverton in the final round of fixtures. Their 15-point lead over Tavistock means they are almost certainly up as champions.
Rob Cockwill, the Hatherleigh captain, isn’t taking the title for granted until this Saturday’s game away to Torquay & Kingskerswell is out of the way.
“We just want to enjoy the end of this season and finish the job next week,” said Cockwill. “Hopefully, we can get over the line to win our first league title.”
Sean Cleave, the Tavistock captain, wanted to be the first to congratulate Hatherleigh in going up.
“Hatherleigh have been superb in both games against us this season and, as a club, we wish them all the very best for next season,” said Cleave.
“We were out-classed and out-played in all departments – and Shrey was on another level. Talk about rising to the occasion. Well batted.”
Hatherleigh are no strangers to the Premier Division – they have been up and down on and off since the mid-1980s – but Cockwill cannot recall them being promoted as champions.
Tavistock’s 13-point advantage over Thorverton means they are favourites for the second promotion spot, But it is not done and dusted yet. Eight points are needed against Barton this Saturday to make the outcome of Thorverton’s game at Kilmington irrelevant.
As far as Tavistock’s prospects are concerned, Cleave still has Premier cricket in his sights.
“We may be running out of steam slightly,” said Cleave. It’s been a hard-fought season, and the lads have given absolutely everything.
“I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them and the effort they’ve put in. Now it’s time to pull our socks up and give it one last big push to get over the line.”
Hatherleigh were always in the driving seat after racking-up 281 for nine in their 50 overs, underpinned by an unbeaten 143 from Indian professional Shrey Ghosh.
Sean Cleave, the Tavistock captain, wanted to be the first to congratulate Hatherleigh in going up.
“Hatherleigh have been superb in both games against us this season and, as a club, we wish them all the very best for next season,” said Cleave.
Shrey, batting first wicket down, went in for the sixth ball of the game after the early demise of Hatherleigh skipper Rob Cockwill to James McGahey.
There were no huge stands – 51 with Ryan Davies (16) was the greatest – although there were respectable chip-ins from Niall Leahy (35) and Emmerson Wood (29).
Hatherleigh accelerated in the last five overs with McGahey going for 33 runs in two of them.
Tavistock only managed 118 between them as Sean Letheren (3-17) and Jasper Presswell (3-30) conspired to bowl them out.
Tavistock’s chase was holed below the waterline at 51 for five in the 11th over. That was an improvement on three for two in the third!
Dave Manning (23) and Jack Smyly (28) hung around for a while, but wickets dripped away steadily.
Letheren and Jasper Presswell were supplemented by two wickets each for Charlie Presswell and Ruben Forrester as Tavistock faded away
