BELSTONE made it five wins out of five last Saturday with a 145-run victory over Teign Valley - a convincing win on paper but a close-run finish at the time as the visitors hung on defiantly for a draw.

The backbone of the Belstone total of 187 for 6 was a partnership of 110 for the second wicket in just 60 minutes between Richard Drake and opener Chris Walpole.

Drake took advantage of a short boundary at the bottom end to hit six sixes, mostly over extra cover in his hour's stay for 82 runs, in contrast to Walpole who struggled to find his timing in a marathon stay of 110 minutes for 41 runs.

An early finish was in prospect as Teign Valley had slumped to 19 for 7 by 6.30pm and the start of the final 20 overs.

However, a good defensive rearguard action led by Davies, who scored 8 not out in 100 minutes, kept Belstone at bay until the penultimate over. With just nine balls remaining he called last-man Lawrence for a sharp single and he was beaten by a fine piece of fielding by Jonathan Parsons at fine leg.

The following day Belstone suffered their first defeat of the season at Ashburton in a South Devon League division 2 match.

Batting first, the home team scored consistently down the order to reach 184 for 7 off their 40 overs with Fraser Willis (2 for 29) and Rob Sandercock (2 for 11) the pick of the Belstone attack.

Although Eddie Jones struck 2 sixes in a defiant 37, no-one else in the Belstone line-up could reach double figures as they declined to 74 all out in the 28th over, leaving Ashburton convincing winners by 110 runs.

Next on the fixture card is an away game in the Buckley Cup against Spreyton on Tuesday May 28.