FOR the third year running the President?s game at Belstone last Saturday produced a nail-biting finish.

The match was reduced to 30 overs a side after heavy rain delayed the start. President?s openers Richard Boarder and Lee Easton put 52 on the board by the halfway stage. They took their partnership to 88 before Easton was caught by Pete Gross off Chris Walsh for 34.

Boarder continued to hit powerfully with five 4s and two 6s until he was run out in the 21st over for 59. Wickets then fell steadily with Terry Jeal most effective with three dismissals for 34 runs, but the President?s scored a further 100 in their second 15 overs to finish on 152 for 7.

In reply, Belstone maintained a run rate of four an over for their first 15 overs thanks to a fine partnership for the second wicket between Simon Tremain and Wayne Pearce. They put on 91 runs ? only 38 of these came in boundaries ? before Pearce was caught for 46 and Tremain was run out for 52.

Skipper Richard Drake reached 29 with a six-over long-off, at which point Belstone where well placed at 143 for three, needing just 10 to win off 15 balls.

Andy Coren?s next ball shattered Drake?s stumps, leading to a finale that swung one way then the other. The penultimate over from Daryl Chapman saw Harry Bushin and Chris Walpole clean bowled for the addition of only two runs, leaving six required off the last over. Further panic followed for Belstone as Coren?s first ball was hit back to him by Phil Woods.

This brought Rob Hall to the wicket; he kept a calm head and hit the next two good length balls back past the bowler to the boundary, giving Belstone the win by three wickets with three balls to spare.

l Belstone welcomed Mount Edgecumbe to Rew Meadow on Sunday with the home team winning a low scoring game by 10 runs.

The visitors opening bowlers Rob De Viell (9-2-13-1) and Andy Ware (10-3-14-1) made life difficult for Belstone?s batsmen who struggled against the swinging ball.

After the home team had stumbled to 19 for three, captain Richard Drake (23) and Simon Jefferies (13) shared a solid partnership of 33 for the fourth wicket before they were both dismissed by Steve Ware (9.5-2-19-4). Harry Bushin then made 41 as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Bushin was the last wicket to fall as Belstone were all out for 110.

Mount Edgecumbe made a steady start in reply against fine bowling by Pete Gross (10-0-31-1) and Rob Hall (8-1-26-1). After 17 overs with 70 for three the visitors seemed to be on the way to an easy win.

However, they lost their next six wickets for ten runs due to superb bowling by Bushin (8-2-20-5) and excellent fielding by the home team with wicket-keeper Simon Tremain taking three catches. At 80 for nine with 31 runs still required Belstone were in control but Mount Edgecumbe?s last two batsmen took the score to 99 with 10 overs to go. In the next over the visitors were finally dismissed for 100 as De Viell was run out.

This Sunday, Belstone travel to Stokeinteignhead for a South Devon League game.