North Devon division three

Newton Tracey

BELSTONE remain just outside the two promotion spots in the league despite a convincing 143 run demolition of bottom-of-the-table Newton Tracey on Sunday.

After winning the toss their openers Phil Woods and skipper Scott Tremain played watchfully in a stand of 64 in 70 minutes on a very slow pitch that also had some uneven bounce.

Robert Hutton (9-3-12-0) bowled a tidy opening spell but it was first change Keiran Jerrett who made the breakthrough, trapping Woods leg before for 30.

Tremain reached his fifth half century of the season in 98 minutes and was just beginning to accelerate when he was caught off Jon Whormsley for 66, which included a six and seven fours, having added 72 in ten overs with Gary Sizmur.

Sizmur dominated the rest of the innings, being particularly severe on anything short with four sixes over midwicket. He added 70 for the fifth wicket with Chris Walpole (15) and ended the 45-over innings on 89 not out as the home team reached their highest total of the season, 220-5.

Although the pitch held less demons as it dried out Newton Tracey found it hard to make progress, especially against Ryan Dennis (7-3-7-2) and Sizmur (7-5-8-2).

Scott Tremain picked up three simple catches at short cover as batsmen pushed tentatively forward, with only Bill Soby, who struck 14 off three balls in the twelfth over, causing any concern. All six Belstone bowlers took wickets and the result was never in doubt once opening bat Andy Chatham was sixth out when the score was 55, caught behind by Simon Tremain for a stubborn 23 in 75 minutes.

The last four wickets fell in the next half hour as the visitors were all out for 77.

Belstone (20 pts) beat Newton Tracey (0 pts) by 143 runs