BELSTONE welcomed Cheriton Fitzpaine to Rew Meadow on Sunday with the home team completing an emphatic 125-run victory over the visitors.

Cheriton Fitzpaine won the toss and invited Belstone to bat first. Openers Pete Gross (17) and Colin Wyatt (10) made their usual steady start against fine accurate bowling from Cutler (8-3-13-1) and Keight (8-0-26-1).

When both batsmen fell with the score on 29, the visitors were well on top. Enter Belstone?s captain Richard Drake who proceeded to play an outstanding innings that took the initiative away from the bowlers. Drake dominated partnerships of 74 with Wayne Pearce (15) and 79 with Phil Woods (18), hitting nine 6s and ten 4s in his innings of 120 made off only 65 balls.

After Drake retired, Simon Tremain (20), Rob Sandercock (11) and Harry Bushin (13) continued to keep the runs flowing, with the home team eventually finishing on 240/7 after their 40 overs.

Cheriton Fitzpaine struggled from the outset in their reply to Belstone?s total, with Bushin dismissing both openers in his first two overs.

Acting captain Jonathan Parsons (5-1-11-4) then decimated the visitor?s middle order with a fine display of swing bowling.

Parsons was helped by an excellent catch down the legside by wicket-keeper Tremain to dismiss Bowles (12).

Cheriton Fitzpaine?s innings was held together by Phil Cutler (36) who followed his fine bowling performance with a determined batting display. Woods, Gross and Chris Walsh all took wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 115 in the 40th over.

Tonight (Thursday), Belstone are at home in a knock-out cup match against Hatherleigh with a 6.30pm start at Rew Meadow.

This is followed by a Partnership Publishing League match away at Ashburton on Sunday.