THE Buckley Cup local derby between Sticklepath and Belstone was a close run affair. Batting first, Sticklepath got off to a slow start as Aiden Easterbrook bowled his four overs for just two runs.
But they picked up the rate with useful contributions from Pete Hardy (17) and Nigel Letheren who retired on 26 not out, to leave the home side on 82 for four after their 20 overs.
Belstone wasted no time in reply as Easterbrook and Colin Wyatt (13) raced to 28 off the first four overs and looked to be well in control at 49 for two after eight overs.
The introduction of Paul Mole changed that as he took three wickets in his first over and finished with five wickets for eight runs off his four overs.
This left Sticklepath in the driving seat as Belstone declined to 72 for nine, still 11 runs short.
Man of the match Easterbrook, who had earlier retired on 28 not out, was then able to return to the crease to finally swing the game Belstone?s way with a six off Grainger as the visitors sneaked home for a one wicket win.
l Last Sunday Belstone travelled to Chudleigh to take on the unbeaten leaders of South Devon League division 1, and, although the home side won by seven wickets with six overs to spare, the game was closer than might appear on paper.
Put in to bat, Belstone openers Pete Gross (46) and Dennis Edwards (43) shared a fine stand of 88 in 25 overs, defending well against the accurate medium pace of Williams (nine overs for 17 runs) while frequently unsettling the Chudleigh fielders with sharp singles.
The later batsmen kept the score moving but were unable to make an acceleration in the face of fine bowling from Mark Halse (four wickets for 22 runs) and the pace of Australian Jason Howell, although a straight six from Aidan Easterbrook did secure a second batting point as the total reached 152 for six after 40 overs.
Chudleigh?s reply was anchored by a cultured knock from Howell, who hit six fours in carrying his bat through the innings for 61 not out, scored off 102 balls.
Easterbrook and Gross bowled with fire but the spin of Terry Jeal picked up all three wickets to fall, the pick of them being a low catch by Wayne Pearce at full stretch on the midwicket boundary.