Friendly

Belstone Strollers v Marden

ESSEX touring side Marden batted first in a 35-over friendly against the Belstone Strollers XI last Saturday.

After openers D Thomas and T Mortimer fell victims to opening bowler Andrew Finley (6-2-18-2) with only 15 on the board, Marden took control thanks to a fine 112-run third wicket partnership scored at seven-an-over between Paul Sunnucks (six boundaries and three 6s in his 52) and Rupert Humphrey (seven boundaries and a six in his 62).

The introduction of father-son bowling combination Wayne (6-1-18-3) and Thomas Pearce (5-0-30-1) accounted for them both at 140 for four and also put a severe brake on the run rate so that only another 46 runs were added for the loss of a further five wickets in the final 14 overs.

Chasing 187 to win opener Richard Boarder (19) struck some ferocious drives but Mattison (4-2-7-1), Blythin (5-1-13-2), Ward (5-1-20-1) and Brown (5-0-11-1) all bowled very tidy spells as well as chipping away with wickets so that at 62 for five in the 21st over Belstone were running out of wickets and the required run-rate had increased to a daunting nine-an-over.

John Coburn then joined Simon Jefferies and they virtually matched this asking rate by adding 91 spectacular runs for the sixth wicket in 11 overs but this late charge was ended when both fell to T Mortimore (2-0-13-2) to give the visitors a 20-run victory.

Buckley Cup

Belstone v North Tawton

BELSTONE cruised to an eight wicket victory over North Tawton taking only half the 20 overs available to knock off the 91 runs required.

North Tawton got off to a decent start of five an over from openers Mogford (11) and Perret (15) but were then pegged back by a good spell from Rob Sandercock (4-1-9-2). Gent (16 not out) and Ayris rattled up 47 quick runs in six overs but when Ayris had to retire on 28 having hit four 4s and a six the final three overs could only muster another five runs as three more wickets fell.

Belstone made light work of their run-chase mainly thanks to openers Phil Woods (29 retired) and Scott Tremain (25 retired).