North Devon Division One

Belstone v Heathcoat

Belstone won by eight wkts.

BELSTONE travelled to Tiverton to face Heathcoat Cricket Club on what can only be described as the most beautiful day of the year so far, with clear blue skies and the sun beating down.

Belstone were eyeing consecutive victories, having trounced Bideford the previous week. Captain Drake won the toss and promptly inserted Heathcoat with the wicket looking good, but potentially offering some help for the very strong bowling attack Belstone brought with them to the match.

The game started slowly, but before long Heathcoat opener Daniel Elliott looked to seize the initiative with some aggressive shots over mid on and mid wicket. It was opener Kevin Johnson who fell first, with the score on 36. He was bowled by the evergreen Harry Bushin.

Johnson was quickly followed back to the hutch by number three Jake Stoneman, who looked totally out of his depth, with Tallan Burns taking the congratulations for the fall of that wicket. Bushin then took his second wicket as Heathcoat quickly became bogged down, taking an excellent catch from his own bowling to dismiss Luke Broomfield for only two runs.

After great spells from Dan Fogerty, Bushin and Burns, Nazir Khan entered the attack, having returned to join the Belstone team as nominated overseas player for the season.

He quickly made an impact, outwitting Elliott, who was out caught behind for 35; Elliott’s innings would turn out to be the highest score for Heathcoat by some margin. Little batting aptitude followed from Heathcoat, who were all out for just 107 with more than ten overs remaining.

Belstone opened with the now familiar pairing of Eddy Jones and Phil Woods, who were looking to polish off the runs required sooner rather than later. However, the Heathcoat opening bowling pairing of Aligh and Dan Sumner weren’t beaten yet and steamed in with some determination and gusto.

This soon bore fruit, with Woods dismissed for a duck, his first of the season. Matty Dennis soon followed having scored one, caught behind to a rising delivery from Aligh.

This brought skipper Richard Drake to the middle, looking to follow on from his big hitting and excellent innings of the previous week. It was soon like the years of old, with Jones and Drake looking to dominate the now flagging Heathcoat bowlers, with Jones in particular playing some powerful shots.

The game was quickly won with 21 overs to spare, with Drake not out for a classy 24 and Jones having powered his way to 63, including ten fours and two sixes. It was another great win for Belstone, who keep the pressure on Hatherleigh at the top of the table.

Friendly

Belstone v Newton St Cyres

Belstone won by 137 runs.

THE two sides defied the elements to play an entertaining 40-over friendly at Rew Meadow, which finished in a convincing 137 run victory for the home side.

Newton opening bowler Tom Dowle removed both openers including Eddy Jones, surprisingly bowled around his legs for ten. Matt Dennis hit 29 from 38 balls at number three before swinging wildly across a first ball long-hop from Tom Pearce. At the other end, Jamie Walker powered his way to a run-a-ball 46 with four 45s and two 6s before chipping a catch to mid-off of Andy Cork (4-0-22-2).

Eleven-year-old M Moretta bowled his full eight over spell, claiming a classic leg spinner dismissal as Chris Walpole’s (16) defensive push found the outside edge to give a catch to keeper Steve Anthony. Belstone’s innings received a late boost with a ninth wicket partnership of 42 between Phil Dennis (18 not out) and Mark Whiteside (five boundaries and a six in 41) to give a useful final total of 215 for nine.

Newton St Cyres started well with a partnership of 37 for the first wicket but the introduction into the attack of Nazir Khan (5-1-22-3) accounted for both openers Phil Dale (25) and Dave Church (14). Thereafter it was a steady procession of wickets as the visitors struggled against Dan Fogerty bowling off a short run-up (4-0-11-3) and Phil Dennis (2.2-1-5-2) so that they were skittled out for 78 in the 24th over.