Buckley Cup

Belstone v Sticklepath

THE local derby Buckley Cup match between Belstone and Sticklepath boiled up into an unexpectedly tense climax after Belstone had seemingly got the game under firm control with just 16 needed to win with all ten wickets in hand and still four overs to go.

Earlier Sticklepath's innings had exploded into life when 18 came off the fifth over including two sixes for Richard Boarder (24) and at 45 for two in the eighth over a decent total looked on the cards.

But wickets then fell steadily – including five ducks – to good bowling from Harry Bushin (4-0-13-3), David Binns (4-0-10-2) and Luke Wonnacott (4-0-17-3) so that the only other batsman to reach double figures was Steve Granger (11 not out), leaving Sticklepath all out for 77 with two overs unused.

Belstone made a perfect start at four runs an over with both openers Sam Ewen and skipper Scott Tremain retiring on 26 and 25 respectively.

Then the innings faltered as Ben Davey (4-0-8-1) and Calum Mallett (2-0-4-2) ran through the middle order to leave the home side needing four to win off the last over with half the side out.

Corey Burns was bowled off Sean Marshall's first ball; the next two were dot balls including an lbw shout given out by the umpire, but reversed when all agreed that the ball had first hit Bushin's bat; and finally off the fourth ball a boundary to Bushin to seal a five wicket win and a maximum 15 points for Belstone.