North Devon division one

Belstone v Heathcoat

THE heavens at Rew Meadows predictably opened with a monstrous downpour during the immediate lead up to the game, making the coin toss between the opposing captains of an instant importance.

Play began with a reduced overs compliment of 37 overs per team. Captain Richard Drake won the toss and was happy in the conditions to put Heathcoat in to bat.

Ryan Dennis started proceedings down the hill, with veteran Harry Bushin steaming in up the slope and into the wind. Both bowlers made a steady start, but it was Bushin who struck first, removing a dangerous looking Dinesh Raheja for only 8 runs.

This brought Lee Dixon to the crease, who immediately looked to go on the offensive with some expansive shot making, including a huge six over mid wicket.

Belstone keeper Eddy Jones then dropped Dixon whilst still in single figures and the batsman went on to score 39 classy runs, before being bowled by Dan Fogerty.

Dan Fogerty, Mark Whiteside and Callum Mallett all bowled tight and accurate spells, before Tom Fogerty came on at the bottom end and proceeded to demolish the Heathcoat middle order, ending with impressive figures of four wickets for only seven runs. This great effort, coupled with two run outs, meant Heathcoat were all out for 113, putting Belstone very much in the ascendency at tea. 

Eddy Jones and Phil Woods strode to the crease after tea, looking to make a positive start in the chase of a relatively small target - but with the variations emanating from the pitch very much at the front of their minds.

Raheja and Dixon opened the bowling for Heathcoat and looked dangerous, pinging the ball down at a fair pace for this level of cricket. However, the opening pair for Belstone put on 38, before Jones unfortunately for the home side managed to run out in form Woods who only had five runs to his name. He was swiftly followed back to the pavilion by Drake, who was caught out after slashing hard at only his third delivery.

Matt Dennis then came to the wicket, scoring a powerful and confident 27, before Dixon bowled him with the first ball of his second spell. During all of this, Jones was ticking along nicely, looking to anchor the innings, albeit sedately as he was joined by namesake and new addition to the squad, Ed Stewart.

Unfortunately, after looking solid, Stewart was dismissed for eight having given great support to Jones, who suddenly accelerated with some quick fire boundaries, bringing Belstone within sight of the winning post.

Whiteside joined Jones to complete the victory, with the winning runs coming via a six from Jones over midwicket, which also took him to an unbeaten 52.

This was a great first league victory of the season for Belstone and more importantly - a great team effort. Drake captained cleverly, ultimately bringing the opposition to their knees in defeat.