Friendlies Bridestowe v Belstone BRIDESTOWE started slowly in last Sunday?s 40-over 12-a-side friendly against Belstone, reaching 40 for three from 16 overs after accurate opening spells from Jonathan Parsons (8-1-17-2) and Andrew Paterson (4-0-9-0). Useful contributions with the bat came from S Down (30), N Griffiths (23), Butler (27) and Fogarty (18 not out) but it was extras who actually top-scored with 42 in the home side?s final total of 168 all out, with Neil Rowlands (6-1-30-3) the most successful Belstone bowler. Belstone also started poorly reaching 38 for four in the 12th over as Gary Sizmur picked up wickets in his first two overs before finishing with three for 23 from eight overs. At 95 for seven the game looked over but Belstone recovered when Rowlands dominated an eighth wicket partnership with Ewens, who contributed just a single to their stand of 41. When Rowlands was run out soon afterwards for 57 (eight fours and a six), the last few wickets fell quickly to give Bridestowe the victory by 23 runs. Belstone XI v Red Lion On the same day another Belstone XI, made up entirely of villagers, took on a team from the Red Lion at Exbourne in a 30-over game. Belstone started cautiously, with only 13 coming off the first nine overs of seam from Rip Petherbridge and Daryl Chapman (5-1-10-2). Eventually Rob Hall (30) and Chris Walpole (29) added 54 for the second wicket before George Hall hit the accelerator with seven boundaries in his 38 while Vic Marks took 14 off four balls before being well caught at deep midwicket by Joe Chapman off the final ball of Petherbridge?s spell (5-1-17-1). This left the home side on 143 for eight at tea. Exbourne collapsed to 11 for four but then the crowd were treated to a stylish partnership of 102 between Petherbridge (five boundaries in his 46) and Daryl Chapman. Skipper Chris Walsh (3.4-0-21-3) took his third wicket late on but Chapman struck two big sixes off Marks to add to his nine boundaries to finish with a match winning 75 not out as Exbourne ran out four wicket winners with 14 balls to spare.
