BELSTONE made it three wins out of three with a comfortable 7-wicket victory over Hatherleigh in a friendly at Rew Meadow on Sunday.

After sending Hatherleigh in to bat, Belstone?s opening bowlers Jonathan Parsons and Chris Walsh bowled well to leave the visitors struggling on 24 for 3 after 8 overs.

They were helped by two outstanding catches firstly by Parsons, diving forward off his own bowling, and by keeper Phil Woods off Walsh to dismiss Hatherleigh?s two openers.

The visitors recovered thanks to a superb innings by Dave Penberthy (73). The left-hander flayed the Belstone bowlers to all parts of the ground in his innings that included four 6s and nine 4s.

Colin Wyatt eventually dismissed Penberthy, allowing Pete Gross (5.5-0-17-3) to clean up the tail. This left Hatherleigh with a competitive total of 126.

In reply, and for the third consecutive week, Belstone were indebted to an opening partnership of over fifty. Openers Wyatt (45) and Gross (18) played solidly, ran well between the wickets and took toll of any loose bowling.

After bringing up their 50 partnership in 12 overs, Gross attempted to hit Perry out of the ground but only managed to find Jacobs at mid-off who took a fine overhead catch.

After Edwards fell cheaply, Wyatt continued to look at ease and it was a surprise when he holed out to cover with the score on 90. Wyatt has now scored 37, 48 and 45 in his first three innings for Belstone. Chris Walpole (23) and Wayne Pearce (21) comfortably saw the home team to victory with eight overs remaining.

This Sunday, Belstone begin their Partnership Publishing League campaign with a match away to Roborough. This is followed by the first evening friendly at home to the Erratics on Tuesday May 18.