MIXED fortunes last week for Belstone in a busy programme of matches which saw two defeats in cup matches followed by a weekend victory.
In a Lancaster Cup second round match at Chagford, Belstone were always struggling. Never recovering from a slow start which saw opening bowlers Potter and Wreford conceding only 11 runs from their combined 8 overs, Belstone could only crawl to 65 for 8 off their 20 overs. Richard Border was the only batsman to shine, with 26.
In reply, Chagford knocked off the runs with few problems inside 15 overs.
Although opener Eddie Jones (25) and No 4 bat Dennis Edwards (26) both retired unbeaten, Belstone never really got on top of the Yeoford attack and their final score of 93 for 4 off 20 overs was always likely to be too few.
Nevertheless, fiery bowling by Jones (2-17), Trevor Munkenbeck (1-14) and Chris Gomersall (1-5) kept Belstone in the hunt, but solid contributions all down the Yeoford order and an expensive spell from Terry Jeal saw the 'home' side - although played at Rew Meadow - home with 2 overs to spare.
Summer finally arrived for Sunday's visit to Teign Valley. The home side's score of 116 for 6 was held together by a fine knock of 48 from opener Mann.
For Belstone, bowlers Harry Bushin and Fraser Willis were economical and picked up 5 wickets between them.
Requiring only 3 runs an over for victory Belstone suffered a mid-order collapse which saw them decline from 45 for 1 to 53 for 4, but useful runs from Eddie Jones (33) and Nick Cowley (30) saw them home with 4 wickets in hand.