Braunton v Belstone

ONE of Belstone's closest North Devon League games of the season boiled up to a climax in the gloom at Braunton last Sunday with the home team needing eight off the last over with four wickets left.

Earlier Belstone had been invited to bat first on a track still soft after several days' rain. Openers Sam Ewen (35) and Scott Tremain (38) laid the basis for a decent score with a careful opening partnership of 79 in 20 overs before both fell to Tom Johnson (9-0-33-2). David Binns, returning to the side after six weeks away, quickly found his touch with a six and three boundaries in his 35, and the innings gathered pace towards the close when Harry Bushin took advantage of two dropped catches to add a quick 27 during a partnership of 36 with Simon Tremain. Chris Brigden was the most successful Braunton bowler, picking up three wickets for just 25 runs in his nine overs.

Braunton began their chase of 197 with some powerful strokes from Martin Seward and Jamie Matthews (41) who got them ahead of the required rate with a stand of 62 for the second wicket before Seward edged to keeper Simon Tremain for exactly 50 off the last ball of a deserving Harry Bushin's nine over spell.

Braunton pressed on, helped by some dropped catches, and at 168 for three appeared to be cruising to victory. Thomas Boother then removed Wayne Manning for 35 and suddenly the runs dried up as he and Binns (9-2-39-1) bowled a good line and length. Boother took two more quick wickets to leave the score on 177 for six with the overs running out. Bridgen and Martin Lewis took eight from the penultimate over including a boundary to third man off the glove and needed the same again off the last, bowled by Luke Wonnacott. A two, two singles and a dot ball brought the game to the last ball but one which Lewis cut away to the point boundary to give Braunton a thrilling four wicket win.

Spreyton (124 for nine) completed their Buckley Cup games on 10 August with a 50 run victory over fellow top spot challengers Tedburn St Mary (74 all out). By so doing they bounced back to the top of the table but can be overtaken again by Belstone and Tedburn who both have final games against North Tawton. Belstone need to win and score 14 points or a maximum 15 points from their match against North Tawton to take an unassailable lead at the top.

Buckley Cup Table 2010

P W L Pts

Spreyton 12 8 4 142

Belstone 11 8 3 130

Tedburn St Mary 11 7 4 128

Yeoford 12 5 7 106

Sticklepath 11 4 7 97

Hatherleigh 10 4 6 82

North Tawton 7 1 6 45