A NEW era for Belstone cricket begins this season. After eight years in the South Devon League the club has joined the North Devon League which will guarantee more competitive cricket than previously – on a total of 16 weekends during the summer.

Even the matches themselves will be longer, each innings being 45 overs compared with 40 overs in the SDL.

A full quota of friendly games are also on the fixture list, plus another round of the keenly fought Buckley Cup 20-20 evening matches against six other local villages.

Before the first game of the season — against Bridestowe on Easter Sunday — players can limber up at three indoor net sessions at the Okehampton Leisure Centre on the Sundays of March 22 and 29 and April 5, all between noon and 1pm.

During the season senior players have a regular net practice at the Rew Meadow ground from 6pm on Friday evenings, while the Colts have a similar session every Monday from 6pm.

The club is always on the lookout for new players so if you fancy playing for 'the highest club in England' — 295 metres above sea level — come along to the indoor nets or get in touch with Wayne Pearce (01837 54774), Chris Walpole (01837 840498) or, for the Colts, Simon Tremain (01837 54708).