Seldom does a fixture in the Dartmouth and District Cricket League arouse such strong emotion, but when the Dartmouth Arms take on the Taj Tigers, there's a chance that old wounds could reopen.

Last year a core of Dartmouth Arms players splintered to join a newly formed Taj Tigers team, and there was undoubtedly going to be some hard feelings – this is a fixture that can sit alongside some of the greatest sporting rivalries in the world.

However, whether it was the vivacious summer afternoon weather, or the mellowing effects of time, this was to be a game played in the finest of cricketing spirits.

The Dartmouth Arms won the toss and elected to bat. With the sun beating down on the wicket, it looked a fantastic time to pile on some runs. Pete Foster and Alan Greeno started off in a spritely manner, with the former thrashing a six in the first over – unorthodox but effective – and the latter carving his runs through the off-side with a grace that even Ian Bell would covet. They seemed in no real threat until the introduction of Shumon Ahmed in the fifth over, whose unerring accuracy and vicious pace was the undoing of Foster (10), thus ending an encouraging opening stand of 18.

The dependable Marcus Copeman was next at the crease and he formed a solid partnership in the face of some excellent tight bowling from Ed Rahman and Kawsar Ahmed. They lasted for another four overs until the Taj's antipodean contingent showed us what might be in store for England later on in the summer. Jamie Bayley removed Copeman (5) with a bouncer, and half-Aussie turncoat Daniel Jackson clean-bowled Greeno (10), who had seen out 39 balls and looked as if he was starting to grow roots. Jackson had also accounted for Andy Birss (0) and finished his spell on a splendid 2-2.

Karen Bewley came in to steady the ship and looked completely untroubled with a solid technique and temperament, while wickets were falling around her. Some sparks flew in a few cameo appearances from Tim Mear (4), Steve Boxwell (7) and Phil Lyons (5), but wickets from Roni Ahmed (1-10), Dave Clarke (1-10) and Andy Jessop (2-2) stifled any rearguard action to leave the score at 70-7 from their 20 overs.

The Taj were in high spirits as their opening pair Andy Jessop and Rezwan Ali came to crease, knowing that they only needed 3.5 runs per over to gain their first victory of the season. Jessop and Ali set about the task in a brisk but disciplined fashion, taking plenty of quick singles and punishing the bad balls. After just eight overs they were able to shake hands on achieving their first 50-run partnership.

Once Jessop had reached his 25 the Dartmouth Arms were able to pounce. Sparked into life by a fine catch in the gully from Doug Hawkins off Phil Lyons, to remove Shumon Ahmed, with the score on 64-1 from 10 overs, they had a flicker hope, even if the task ahead of them would have daunted Henry V at Harfleur. This bright spell continued as the impressive debutante Alan Greeno (1-5) had Rezwan Ali caught to end his encouraging innings of 17.

Alas, it was not to be, as Taj captain Jamie Bayley knocked off the remaining runs in impressive style to take the Taj Tigers to 74 for two from 12.2 overs, the Tigers therefore winning by eight wickets. Everyone agreed afterwards, however, that cricket was the winner today.

The Taj Tigers would like to thank Blue River Cottages for their generous sponsorship

of the team, and so too the Dartmouth Arms for Otter Brewery's ongoing patronage. Both teams are also very appreciative of the time and effort put in by the tireless and unerring umpires, Chris Chase and Brian Harriss, and Doug Hawkins for preparing a competitive wicket.