Win over Tavistock is welcome respite for Budleigh after patchy run

Budleigh

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TAVISTOCK slipped to a last-over defeat against Budleigh Salterton that drops them into relegation orbit.

The Moorlanders are not in the bottom two yet, but the average points cushion between them and Abbotskerswell in the second drop spot is less than two points.

Dave Manning boxed clever to make 83 not out for Tavistock as they booked 231 for six in 50 overs.

James White made 49 opening up them Manning batted through to the end. The veteran left-hander was involved in stands totting up 170 runs. Charlie Barriball (29) was one of the contributors.

FRUGAL: Budleigh bowler Jack EnglandJoel Murphy (2-28) was the only one of Budleigh’s seven bowlers to take more than one wicket. Jack England – four overs bowled, eight runs conceded – gave little away.

Opener Harry Parkin (76) played the anchorman role for Budleigh and took them to 160 for five. A stand of 73 with Sam Whitehead (36) helped the chase along.

Ed Doble (36) and Lloyd Murrin (20no) kept the chase going. A target of 27 to win from the last four overs proved no problem as the Seasiders won with five balls to spare.

For Budleigh (10.44pts) it was a welcome respite after a run of wins had dropped them too close for comfort to the drop zone.

The significance of the win was not lost on Budleigh skipper Murrin, who said: “It was a massive win in a great, close game of cricket when we finally managed to show what we can do with the bat when we bat properly.

“A fantastic first-innings effort fielding and bowling well in the heat kept Tavistock to a gettable target on a brilliant batting track.

“Another shaking start, which we are trying to solve, but we dug in well after the early wobble.

“Harry Parkin batted heroically against some good bowling – and the heat – and was joined well by Sam Whitehead to set-up the lower order to take us home.”

Tavistock have strengthened their side for the final month of the season by registering keeper-batter Rhys Davies and batsman Ollie Allsop from Cornish Premier side Callington, who have not played for two weeks due to Covid alerts. Both could feature in the basement clash with Cullompton this Saturday.

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