THERE was a nail-biting finish to Belstone?s latest South Devon League Division Two clash when they visited Abbotskerswell last Sunday. Wickets fell steadily when the home team batted thanks to an inspired fielding performance from Belstone which began when Pete Gross held a diving one-handed catch at second slip to dismiss Richard Acton (10) off Harry Bushin, who bowled an accurate nine over spell taking two for 24. Further sharp chances were snapped up by keeper Johnny Carter, at first slip by Dennis Edwards, in the gully by Chris Walpole, at square leg where Bushin made a late dive after dodging the umpire, and by Rob Sandercock, who held three in the covers. Coupled with good ground fielding this brought Abbots to 90 for six mainly due to a watchful 37 from Scarr. An excellent partnership of 77 followed between P Acton (36) and Lock (40) before a late flurry of wickets saw the innings finish on 182 for nine after 40 overs. Chris Gomersall varied his pace effectively to take three wickets for 44 and skipper Andrew Paterson maintained a nagging line and length to finish with three for 31. Belstone made a fine start with Gross (17) and Phil Woods (22) putting on 51 for the first wicket in 12 overs before Woods was bowled by the first ball of spinner Day?s spell. The middle order failed to capitalise on this base with Day (four for 29) and Green (three for 35) bowling well to reduce Belstone to 109 for eight in the 23rd over with all hope of victory seemingly gone. Terry Jeal then swung his bat in characteristic style adding a rapid 52 with Johnny Carter (10), a new club record for the ninth wicket, beating by six runs the previous best which dated from 1997. With last man Sandercock at the crease, Jeal continued to accelerate towards the target, reaching his maiden half century for the club with a six and eight fours (one of which smashed a pavilion window) until he finally perished going for the winning runs to a straight ball from Richard Acton, to give Abbotskerwell a thrilling one run victory. Belstone man-of-the-match: Terry Jeal. Buckley Cup Team P W L Pts Hatherleigh 7 7 0 97 Belstone 6 4 2 66 Yeoford 7 2 5 57 Tedburn St Mary 6 3 3 55 Spreyton 6 2 4 54 Sticklepath 6 1 5 48