North Devon League Cup final Belstone v Heathcoat IN this cup final played last Sunday at Hatherleigh, Belstone batted reasonably well in patches for 45 overs but their hard-fought total of 178 proved a stroll in the park for Heathcoat who won by nine wickets. It was a sobering reminder of what newly-promoted Belstone may come up against when they play first division cricket next season. Belstone were asked to bat on a pitch which became easier as the game wore on. Openers Phil Woods and Scott Tremain were determined to build a solid start and this they did, keeping out the penetrating attack of Paul Elliott, whose nine overs went for a measly nine runs, and Jamie Drew (9-1-23-2). Although they kept their wickets intact for 27 overs both batsmen found runs hard to come by as the score advanced at two an over. However, once Elliott and Drew were replaced runs came a little easier so that by the time Woods was unexpectedly bowled by Matt Hodson for 29 the opening stand was worth 82. This gave a platform for a second half acceleration with wickets in hand and for a while as skipper Richard Drake joined Tremain a total in excess of 200 looked possible. They added 41 in five overs before Tremain holed out at long-on for 40, the first of Ned Menheneott's five wickets. Soon after Drake was drawn out of his crease by the spin of Jack Menheneott and stumped by James Davis for 31. Suddenly all Belstone's good work was undone as the next five wickets fell for just 22 runs with Ned Menheneott finishing with five for 38 from eight overs. Ryan Dennis hit a late six over the pavilion in his lively 24 but the innings ended on a below-par 178 for nine. Things looked ominous for Belstone from the start of Heathcoat's reply as 11 came from the first over. All the bowlers suffered as Sam Smith and Ned Menheneott went one run better than Belstone's opening stand, the difference being they scored their 83 runs in ten overs against Belstone's 27 overs. Smith provided Belstone's sole success as he slashed Dan Fogerty to Woods at point having hit six boundaries and a six in 37. Will Thompson at number three reached 30 not out by the end, but his innings was completely overshadowed by a man-of the-match performance from Ned Menheneott who struck some thunderous drives to and over the boundary such that he raced to his century in just 69 minutes with 12 fours and five sixes.