BELSTONE suffered a setback before a ball was bowled in their South Devon League relegation battle with Stokeinteignhead last Sunday with the news that Stoke, for the second time in three games, had been gifted 12 points the day before by the non appearance of their opponents Pinhoe.

Put in to bat on a damp wicket Belstone struggled to 20 for three in the first ten overs before Phil Woods arrived to play a career-best innings of 73.

He shared in a partnership of 62 for the fourth wicket with Wayne Pearce (23) and went on to stroke six 4?s until he was out in the final over as the score reached 148 for eight wickets.

The Stoke bowlers kept a good line and length and chipped in with wickets.

In reply Stoke got off to a steady start with a half century opening partnership between Ian Christie (31) and Paul Russell, who was finally caught in the covers for a careful 41 with the score on 122 for four. Not for the first time this season Belstone failed to take their half chances and again gave away too many wides (21), allowing Stoke to edge closer with wickets in hand. Two late scalps for Jonathan Parsons kept the home side in the game until Burton (21 not out) and Hooker (12 not out) saw Stoke to a five wicket victory with six balls to spare.

This Sunday sees Belstone Colts playing the senior side at Rew Meadow, followed in the evening by a ram roast on the village green.

Partnership Publishing South Devon League Division One

Team P W L A Pts

Chudleigh 11 10 1 0 115

Roborough 10 7 1 2 76

Pinhoe 12 7 4 1 75

Stoke 11 5 6 0 68

Dunsford 10 3 6 1 47

Belstone 11 3 8 0 46

Ashburton 11 1 10 0 15