Luffman (pictured) and Davies point Tavistock towards win over Bideford | Final over a nail-gnasher at Westward Ho!

Steve Luffman - anchorman for Tavistock in the win over Bideford

BIDEFORD’S winning run in the B Division ended when they went down to Tavistock by three wickets.

The Westward Ho! team were undefeated going into round four in the B Division and looking like promotion candidates.

Bideford’s 45-over total of 215 for five was almost enough to make it four in a row, but not quite. Tavistock reached the last over from James Ford needing five to win and got over the line with two balls left.

Bideford were 110 without loss thanks to skipper Tom Brend (75) and James Hayter (37) when Tavvy captain Shaun Daymond removed the latter to split them up.

Brend and Ollie Hannam were next to go before Clayton Malgas (38) and Ford (24) got the scoreboard moving again.

Ryan Burke (2-36) was the only Tavvy bowler to take more than one wicket.Tavistock's Billy Barriball – chipped in on the chase

Tavistock’s reply was underpinned by openers Steve Luffman (39) and Rhys Davies (55) batting for 90 minutes while Bideford’s bowlers toiled away in the sun. They put on 97.

Billy Barriball (32) and Will Scott-Munden (26) took the reply up to 183 for five, Charlie Barriball (20 off 10 balls) left 15 to get, which Sean Cleave and Dom Snyman did between them.

Ford (3-54) and Malgas (2-28) had to earn Bideford’s wickets. Chris Luxton and Steve Bond bowled nine overs each at less than three runs a time.

Brend said there was little to be critical about when losing narrowly in the final over of a ‘really good game’.

“There were plenty of positives for us to take as we batted well for the most part and posted 200-plus for the fourth week running, which always gives you a chance,” said Brend.

“I felt it was just about just about par at the time, but looking back we maybe were 10 or so short.

“We bowled tightly and fielded well, Tavy showed composure and discipline to get them over the line – and hats off to them.”

Bideford drop down to third in the latest league table, but are only six points behind leaders Ipplepen.