TWENTY one boundaries, nine sixes and a local-rules five (where the ball hits the overhead power lines that cross the ground) came in two hours of entertaining 20-20 action when Belstone travelled to Sticklepath for their latest Buckley Cup clash. Sticklepath began at four runs an over before accelerating to six an over thanks to Baker (26) and Harley Cann who was undefeated on 39. Sticklepath?s total of 120 all out could well have been greater but for three spectacular catches, Paul Tyler caught by Wayne Pearce, Nigel Letheren by keeper Richard Drake, and Baker by Rob Sandercock. In reply Belstone got off to a flying start with 40 off just three overs thanks to some cleanly hit drives from Pete Gross who retired at 25 not out. Pearce and Phil Woods retiring on 27 and 26 respectively, with only Tripp keeping the runs down with an economical spell of four overs, one for 12. The game sped to a conclusion with over four overs to spare when Andrew Paterson hit three consecutive balls from Letheren to the boundary to give Belstone a convincing victory by seven wickets. Last Sunday Belstone had a South Devon League Division Two game against Keyham and Buckfastleigh. Kevin Jacobs and Will Sykes put on 180 for the first wicket in 30 overs. Jacobs hitting four 4s and three 6s in his 71 and Sykes ten 4s and two 6s in his 93. Belstone bowler Andrew Paterson clean bowled Sykes with the last ball of his ninth over. Wickets then fell cheaply with Scott Tremain (three for 13), Aidan Easterbrook and Rob Sandercock bowling well as the visitors slumped to 218 for seven before Matt Mackay (24 not out) rallied them to a 40-over total of 232 for seven. Two early run outs proved disastrous for Belstone?s reply and with John Jackson (six overs, one for three) and Mackay (six overs, one for nine) tying up the middle order the home team struggled to 70 for seven after 26 overs. With the game secure Buckfastleigh rang the bowling changes which led to an entertaining hour as Sandercock (29) and Harry Bushin (47) added 69 for the eighth wicket. More lusty blows from Easterbrook (22 not out) and Terry Jeal (13 not out) prevented Buckfastleigh from gaining a second bowling point but the visitors ran out deserved winners by 51 runs at the close. This weekend Old Eldonians play at Rew Meadow on Saturday and Belstone travel to Paignton on Sunday, both 2.30pm starts. A car boot sale will be held on the ground from 10am on Saturday June 24.
