BELSTONE were unexpectedly called in to play Lustleigh in the semi-final of the South Devon League Cup on Saturday.

Lustleigh have won division 1 of the league for the last five years and should have played Roborough, winners of division 3. But they chose to play another league game instead, so, as runners-up in division 3, Belstone stepped in for their first ever visit to Lustleigh.

Any thoughts of a giant-killing upset soon faded as the first three Lustleigh batsmen took control.

An early half-chance and a dropped catch were severely punished as openers Sawrey-Cookson (96) and S Wright (59) put on 121, to be bettered by a second wicket stand of 127 between S Wright and M Wright (86). Between them, 12 sixes and 21 fours were struck to all parts of the small picturesque ground.

Only Chris Gomersall and Trevor Munkenbeck kept the batsmen in check, conceding fewer than 4 an over from their 8-over spells. Trevor, recently returned from Egypt with a virus, rose from his sick-bed to return excellent figures of 8 - 1 - 29 - 4 - and later on was an undefeated last man with Belstone's third top score, 10 not out. Although the scoring rate declined as middle order wickets fell, the final total of 269 for 5 off 40 overs looked unbeatable.

And so it proved, as five ducks, including a hat-trick for Lustleigh spinner Starling, and an unlucky direct hit run out meant a rapid end to proceedings as Belstone could only reach 74 all out, with 39 of these from the elegant bat of Sid Edwards.

Belstone could at least console themselves knowing that the runner-up spot has ensured that they are promoted to division 2 of the South Devon League next season.

Next day Belstone were the ones enjoying an easy victory when they visited Weare Giffard.

The match was finely poised when they were 65 for 5 at the halfway stage, but a new record partnership for the sixth wicket of 112 in 47 minutes - beating the previous record of 101 which has stood since the first season in 1993 - between Sid Edwards, who hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 79, and guest star from Sticklepath, Steve Granger, who hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in his 54, took the visitors to a healthy score of 202 off the 40 overs.

Weare Giffard started slowly and when James Munkenbeck's first ball claimed a wicket, as skipper Chris Gomersall held the first of three spectacular catches, they were struggling at 8 for 4.

More good catching from Martin Kuhn and Eddie Jones and two needless run outs wrapped up the game as the home side were all out for 93, giving Belstone a 109-run victory.