Tavistock v Abbotskerswell

Saturday 1st July 2023

Devon Cricket League A-Division

Abbotskerswell 281-9 (Batted First) off 50 Overs

Tavistock 160 All Out from 36.1 Overs

12.30pm Start

Weather: Plenty of sunny intervals but a strong chilly breeze plagued the proceedings. Certainly needed a few layers on.

Attendance: 20 to 30, some could have been players in leisure wear waiting to bat.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? Not essential, there are 14 benches in total, mainly on the far side of the pitch opposite The Pavilion. Beware though, they are decidedly uncomfortable after a few overs.

There is nothing at either bowlers end of the field but the stiff cool breeze negated putting a chair out for too long, it was simply too cold. 

Another issue for chairs near the sight screen is the sloping nature of the pitch, particularly at the Whitchurch Road end, it's literally like looking up a hill.

General Facilities: Familiar generic type Pavilion at club level with a small one room bar, decent clean toilets at the rear of the bar beside the changing rooms. There is an adjoining Digital Scoreboard. Plentiful open space for parking exists.

The pitch is certainly undulating here, although the square is level, it is evident that The Pavilion rests at the foot of a distinct slope originating amidst the continuing countryside of the hillside. Obviously this benefits anything hit towards The Pavilion and alternatively offers comfort to the fielding side cutting off (what appeared nailed on) boundaries up the slope.

Location: Less than a couple of miles up the hill from the busy charismatic vibrant town centre. Its on the road to Whitchurch Village, look out for the sign directing you (left) up Chollacott Lane. Go up the narrow lane to the very end where a gate has to be opened (and closed afterwards) for access to glorious open countryside. The ground, appropriately titled 'The Ring' lies in clear view before you. The perimeter of the playing area is blessed with characterful stone pillars which make for a splendid backdrop to the field of play.

The Match: A bit of a slow burner to be honest. Bit like the Clint Eastwood western, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

Tavistock have a couple of bowlers, one a pace man, the other a crafty spin merchant who made it hard for Abbotskerswell to gain progressive momentum.

Sadly for Tavistock the support bowlers and general fielding leaked too many runs, including too many dropped catches. Abbotskerswell opener Jack Neylon scored a massive 137 off 129 balls. In reply, after a stuttering dodgy start 17-2, Tavistock impressively struck back to 85-2 at one stage before tumbling all out for a miserable 160. 

A defeat which means Tavistock replace the visitors at the foot of the table.