Sylvans win clash with fellow strugglers

TOI SYLVANS eased away from the drop with a tight victory over DB Taverners. It was a low-scoring affair, sealed when Sylvans' number 10 Paul de Garis crashed a cover drive to the boundary in the penultimate over.

But Taverners felt he should have gone the ball before. Three fielders joined the appeal with keeper Andy Boyce for a thin edge behind, but umpire Martin Gray signalled only a wide.

Sylvans' reply to a modest 102 for 8 was based on Chris McClean's confident 37 as others fell around him. Four run outs hampered the Reds' run-chase and they were grateful for 14s from both skipper Pete Inniss and Blane Queripel.

The pressure had been put on by Martin Bone, whose left-armers caused plenty of trouble.

With the bat, Taverners had also been unable to score freely as Richard Gallienne skittled the top order while Inniss bowled with plenty of economy and to an enthusiastic field.

Sylvans are quickly learning how best to play top-flight cricket. They maintained their stranglehold as Taverners looked to accelerate and then, admittedly with a few jitters, worked steadily towards their target.

The win moves them level with Taverners on four points, though having played eight matches to their opponents' seven.

And it leaves Rovers, rooted pointless to the bottom after six games, plenty to do.