TOURING side Stansted from Essex visited Rew Meadow on Saturday and built their 45-over total of 191 for six around a fine innings of 101 from Justin Brown who came in early when Harry Bushin clean bowled Lamnea for a duck in the second over.
Scoring freely at first, then more cautiously he reached his 50 in even time with six fours and a six, while his second 50 took 80 minutes with only two more boundaries. He added 101 for the second wicket with opener Khan (39) and 48 for the fifth wicket with Graham (29 not out) before retiring with a few overs left.
The whole Belstone team were given a bowl with Stewart Meeke (guesting from Stansted) the best of them with two for 18 from six overs while Tim Butler picked up two wickets in successive balls at the end.
Belstone's reply was anchored by opener Wayne Pearce who hit eight boundaries and a six in his 59, before being fifth out after 86 minutes with the score on 110. He added 66 for the second wicket with Meeke but once he and Jonathan Parsons (19) were out Belstone skipper Dennis Edwards (16 not out) was content to play out the final four overs to secure a draw.
The following day Belstone Colts gave the senior team the run around for two thirds of the game until an unbroken eighth wicket partnership and a plethora of wides undid all their good work. The Colts started badly with Trevor Oats caught one-handed by Phil Woods off the first ball of the match but then Thomas Boother and Corrie Burns batted with assurance taking the score well past 50 before Burns was run out for 28. Ryan Dennis (14) and Matt Johns (17 not out) also kept Boother company as he dealt confidently with all ten senior bowlers eventually carrying his bat for a fine 75 not out with four boundaries in a useful 40-over total of 168 for six.
By the time Colts opening bowlers Henry Holmes and Burns had finished their four-over spells the seniors reply was in tatters at 29 for five with Burns taking one for 13 and Holmes a devastating four for 17. Things got worse for the seniors with further wickets for Boother and Oats to leave them facing an ignominious defeat at 45 for seven in the 13th over.
Wayne Pearce then joined Peter Harlow; the pair played cautiously picking up singles and twos to keep the asking rate at around four an over, helped by a rash of wides which eventually gave extras the top score of the innings at 52.
All 11 Colts bowlers stuck to their task but over the next 25 overs the match was gradually turned on its head with an unbroken stand of 124 as the seniors recorded a face-saving three wicket win with one over to spare, Pearce finishing on 50 not out and Harlow on 48 not out.
l The spectator highlight of next week's cricket at Rew Meadow promises to be on Sunday when Belstone take on the Chris Walsh Invitation XI for the annual C&G Trophy match. This family friendly afternoon starts at 1pm and includes a bouncy castle, raffles and post-match barbecue to which all are invited.