BELSTONE played their last two Buckley Cup games last week and secured convincing victories in both.

On the Wednesday, Sticklepath asked Belstone to bat which gave them the chance to score the maximum 5 batting points in rattling up 151 for 8 in the 20 overs.

Youngsters Eddie Jones, Richard Drake (34) and Andy Carter (26 not out) kept the score moving, with Jones managing to retire twice in reaching 53.

Sticklepath began well, with 22 runs off the first 4 overs, but when skipper Border was run out wickets began to fall and the asking rate to increase.

Tidy bowling by Belstone, in poor light, saw Sticklepath all out for 76, enabling them to take the maximum 15 points from the game, with 7 points for Sticklepath.

Two evenings later Spreyton were the visitors. Another strong batting display which began with openers Mickey Cowley (25 not out) and Eddie Jones (28 not out) scoring freely saw Belstone reach 126 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Spreyton struggled from the start against a succession of hostile bowlers and were never in the hunt. It was left to occasional bowler Dennis Edwards to wrap things up with 3 wickets in 11 balls as they were all out for 43. Three points for Spreyton and another maximum 15 points for Belstone.

On Sunday, Alphington were the first time visitors to Rew Meadow for a close game where the balance swung back and forth. Despite four dropped catches Belstone kept the visitors in check with tidy bowling all round, only opener Coe (31) and T. Weeks (33) making double figures as the score reached 109 all out in 41 overs.

Harry Bushin, with a lively spell of 14 overs, 4 for 40, was the most successful bowler.

In reply, fast bowling by Wilson (4 for 34) removed two wickets without a run on the board, before Richard Drake seized the initiative back with a rapid 43. Careful batting by Chris Walpole (24) and Andy Carter (20) took Belstone to the brink of victory, with just 4 runs required and 5 wickets standing.

Both were then out, and, incredibly, with tight bowling by Gott and Newbery, the remaining 3 wickets also fell on the same score, leaving Alphington the surprised victors by 3 runs."

Buckley Cup results as at

August 5:

P W Pts

Belstone 8 7 94

Yeoford 8 6 84

Sticklepath 5 1 39

Moretonhampstead 5 1 29

Spreyton 4 0 18

Partnership Publishing South Devon League

Division Three: results as at

August 4:

P W Pts

Roborough 5 4 47

Belstone 5 4 46

N Abbot PO 5 1 18

Ide 5 0 -5