Belstone v Spreyton SPREYTON began their defence of the Buckley Cup with a hard fought victory over Belstone at Rew Meadow last week. Belstone began in cavalier fashion with Richard Drake and Wayne Pearce knocking up a half century opening stand in seven overs before retiring on 25 and 26 respectively, having pierced the defensive field settings with seven boundaries and a six between them. Spreyton came back into the game as four middle order batsmen were lost for the addition of just eight runs with Chris Hedley-Dent picking up two wickets in his first over. Colin Tucker (20) and Harry Bushin (two sixes in 16) regained some momentum for Belstone as they finished their 20 overs on 119 for six. Spreyton also started well with 12 coming off the first over as Steve Wright (25 ret), Tony Niven (13) and Charlie Hancock (18) all contributed at the top of the order before tidy spells from Chris Gomersall (4-0-25-2) and Coren Russell (4-0-12-1) pegged them back to leave the visitors needing 40 from the last five overs. This they achieved with nine balls to spare thanks to a fine unbroken partnership between Tom Bentley (28 not out) and Ollie Niven (18 not out). l Sticklepath put Belstone in to bat in the next Buckley Cup game and promptly regretted the decision as the home team knocked up a formidable 154 for 4, their highest ever 20-over total against Sticklepath. After a tidy first four overs from Liam Bradbury and Sean Marshall which yielded just 11 runs the floodgates opened as Richard Drake, Wayne Pearce, Scott Tremain, Matt and Phil Dennis and Chris Walpole all contributed quick runs with 18 boundaries and three sixes between them. With six ducks in their reply Sticklepath were always struggling although Richard Boarder kept the innings going to secure three batting points before he was last out for 31, all the Belstone bowlers getting among the wickets in their 77-run victory. l The following evening the boot was on the other foot as Belstone were on the end of a batting master-class in the first round of the Corinthian Cup — where each side bowls 16 eight-ball overs — as Hatherleigh rattled up a massive 245 for three, with opener Bennet (46), Engel (six sixes and four fours in his 64) and Gillespie (nine fours and two sixes in his 81 not out) leading the charge. Although four of the top five Belstone batsmen failed to trouble the scorers Richard Drake matched the Hatherleigh strokemakers with nine boundaries and four 6s in his impressive 77. With James Munkenbeck (24) and Phil Dennis (20 not out) chipping in at the end Belstone ended on 138 for 7, normally a useful score but on this occasion 107 runs short of the target.
