Buckley Cup Belstone v Sticklepath BELSTONE completed a Buckley Cup double over Sticklepath with an easier seven-wicket victory than at one time seemed likely. Batting first on a spongy pitch Sticklepath were in trouble at 29 for five thanks to good opening spells from Jonathan Parsons (3 for 22) and Pete Gross (2 for 11) and two early candidates for catch-of-the-season, both full length diving one-handed efforts by Rob Sandercock in the covers. The innings then picked up thanks to three sixes and six fours from Bradbury (19), Davey (24) and Jim Mawle (15) to give a 20-over total of 113 all out. Even on Sticklepath?s small ground this looked to be a challenging score as the ever-economical Mawle conceded just four runs from his four overs and the required run-rate passed seven an over. Belstone?s reply was suddenly transformed by powerful hitting from Phil Woods (25 retired), Wayne Pearce and Matt Dennis (both 28 retired) which saw a flurry of fours and sixes that took the visitors to victory with 20 balls to spare. Next evening Belstone travelled to Whitchurch for a Lancaster Cup second round match which saw a convincing nine-wicket victory for the home side. Even though the Whitchurch attack conceded 32 extras, Belstone could only manage four-an-over for most of their innings until a late burst from Neil Rowlands (30 no) and Harry Bushin (15 no) took them up to 121 for six after 20 overs. Frost (4-1-12-1) was the pick of the bowlers while Aaron Churchill managed to bowl his four overs without conceding a run off the bat, but did give away 22 wides. Whitchurch got off to a storming start in their reply as 51 runs came off the first five overs. After that they were able to coast home with four overs to spare, losing only Newton (seven 4s and a six in 39), with Barriball completing an excellent half century (six 4s and three 6s in 52 no) and Cummins (22 no) finishing the game with a six. Last Sunday Belstone travelled to Shaldon for their latest South Devon League Division two match. On a pitch with uneven bounce, Shaldon started brightly with a carefree knock from Sam Mason who was second out, having made 37 of the first 41 runs. The innings then lost momentum with skipper Andrew Paterson (8-4-9-2) and Neil Rowlands (9-3-22-3) bowling well to leave the home side on 125 for five after 35 overs. Adam Daswing (40 no), helped by a rapidly mounting extras tally of 39, ensured a respectable total by plundering 49 off the last five overs to give a final total of 174 for eight. Belstone?s reply got off to a shocking start as Bill Lusty?s third ball clean bowled Pete Gross, followed by his fourth and fifth balls accounting for Richard Drake and Scott Tremain, both caught behind by Ballman ? a hat-trick and a score of three wickets for no runs after one over. Matters did not improve as Lusty bowled two more for ducks to make it 11 for five with Belstone staring their worst-ever total in the face. That was easily avoided as Paterson (21) and a last wicket partnership of 37 (the third-best ever for the Club) between Rob Sandercock (20 not out) and Jonathan Parsons (16) took Belstone into three figures, but nevertheless Shaldon ran out convincing winners by 71 runs.
