North Devon

Barnstaple and

Pilton v Belstone

PUT into bat Belstone's innings was dominated by Richard Drake's fifth century for the club. Joining with Andy King when the second wicket fell with 26 they proceeded to add 146 for the third wicket in just 22 overs, with Drake's share 111 and King 34.

Drake reached his 50 in 34 minutes and the ton in 69 minutes, in all smashing nine sixes and seven fours. As often happens both batsmen were out in quick succession whereupon the scoring rate dropped dramatically as Barnstaple fought back. Fewings and Newton both took three wickets as the last six Belstone batsmen were dismissed for 36 runs in 13 overs to leave the visitors on 208 all out at the interval.

Barnstaple began their chase steadily at three an over with Ash (37) and Joe Chugg (18) putting on 51 for the first wicket. Orr and Clarke (20) then added 60 for the fifth wicket before Callum Mallet achieved the crucial breakthrough, bowling Orr for 52.

With the run-rate mounting and the overs ticking away the Barnstaple lower order tried to swing the bat but only succeeded in giving keeper Drake three stumping opportunities off Mallett (6-0-32-3) and Thomas Boother (4-0-6-2), so that their last six wickets fell even more cheaply than Belstone's – the score declining from 143-4 to 164 all out in just six overs to give the visitors a 44 run victory which ensured their unbeaten run in the League was maintained.

Belstone are also top-of-the-table in the 20-over evening Buckley Cup competition thanks to five wins out of five including this week's demolition of Yeoford, which was the first game Belstone have played on their replacement all-weather strip. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as they slumped to 13-7 after nine overs with only a stand of 28 between Andy Coren (6) and Leach (10), plus 16 wides giving them a semblance of respectability. All the Belstone bowlers got among the wickets, the pick of them being Tom Fogerty's three clean-bowled for five runs. Belstone knocked off the 44 required in just 20 minutes, Richard Drake leading the charge with 26 not out.

n This Saturday there is a car boot sale at the Belstone ground from 10am.