BELSTONE played a thrilling Buckley Cup game against Hatherleigh last weekend which went all the way down to the final ball for a result.

Belstone were soon 20 for three as Lee Bonner (4-0-24-3) and Robert Cockwill (4-0-33-2) made early inroads but they picked up momentum when Dan Fogerty hit 19 off an over from Ben Squire.

Dan and his brother Tom hit six boundaries and two 6s between them before they retired on 30 and 26 respectively.

Hatherleigh's reply followed a similar pattern with early wickets followed by good batting.

At the half way stage their score of 56 for three compared with Belstone's of 73 for four.

The last over, bowled by Dan Fogerty, was full of drama. Jack Cherington beat the fielder's throw to run three off the first ball; another three came off the second as the ball was fumbled in the deep; Richard Drake caught Cherington off the next only for the umpire to call no ball.

Disaster for Belstone as Fogerty bowled a wide giving Cockwill another chance. He pulled the ball high towards the midwicket boundary only for Sam Ewen to run in and catch to leave Belstone the victors by just two runs.

IF Belstone travelled to Westward Ho! thinking they were favourites to beat Bideford they were in for a nasty surprise, as batting let them down in a 107 run defeat.

Bideford opener Josh Roach played well from the off which ended when Harry Bushin took a diving return catch to dismiss Tom Brend for 15.

A third wicket partnership of 50 between Will Barratt and James Ford kept the score ticking along before Bushin claimed another wicket when Barratt lobbed a gentle catch back to him. Nazir Khan then tied up one end effectively with three maiden overs and three wickets before a late onslaught from Ian Hayter was ended by Tom Fogerty.

Josh King and Alex Hannam bowled lively opening spells when Bideford took the field after tea, extracting some lift from a pitch livened up after overnight rain. Richard Drake found some form with five quick boundaries before the game ground to a halt when keeper Hayter dislocated his finger taking a fast delivery.

Belstone went from 104 for five to 112 all out, as Brend took two more wickets whilst Matthew Parkhouse finished off the innings with two wickets in seven balls without conceding a run.