Belstone v Harberton

BELSTONE bounced back from a previous severe nine-wicket drubbing at the hands of Bridestowe with a good all-round display with bat and ball against Harberton last Sunday.

Batting first Harberton proceeded cautiously for the first half of their innings hardly scoring above two runs an over as the early Belstone attack of Jonathan Parsons (8-2-19-0), Harry Bushin (8-2-17-0) and Tom Fogerty (7-4-13-1) maintained a nagging line and length. Bushin also made the first breakthrough, recovering instantly from a dropped slip catch to throw down the stumps as Colin Shearer attempted an unwise run.

Toby Tobias and Mark Harvey added 46 in 11 rain-interrupted overs for the third wicket before Tobias was clean bowled by Callum Mallet for 24 as he tried a rare attacking stroke. Harvey then found another gear with a string of boundaries, dominating partnerships of 42 with Josh Thomas (16) and an unbroken 49 with David Griffiths (9 not out) to take the final total to a respectable 171 for four, his contribution being an excellent 83 not out including 14 fours.

Belstone began their reply with a solid opening partnership of 49 in ten overs between Jimmy Ewen (22) and Scott Tremain (29) but it was not until Belstone debutant Jack Hatton joined Chris Walpole that the innings exploded into overdrive.

Hatton stroked 22 from Jack Buchner's final over to dent his otherwise good figures (8-2-40-2) and, with Walpole finding his touch with a big six over midwicket, the score raced away as they added 74 for the fourth wicket in eight overs.

Walpole was out for 32 but Hatton continued to hit powerfully with ten boundaries in his 60 not out as the visitors romped to a six wicket win with ten overs to spare.