Belstone v Bridford

BELSTONE's first game of the season at Rew Meadow against Bridford was a low scoring affair which showed off two familiar features from seasons past – a batting collapse followed by a disciplined bowling performance which rescued the situation.

All was going well for the home team as opener Richard Drake moved to 36 with his second six of a typically aggressive innings to take the total to 71-3 in the 14th over.

Next ball he was bowled by Wellings to start a collapse which saw the last seven wickets clatter for the addition of just 17 runs in the space of seven overs.

No one else reached double figures with the bowling honours shared between Wellings (4-24) and Grace (4-7).

Needing only 89 to win from a possible 40 overs Bridford could afford to start slowly. This they did, taking 10 overs to reach 14, but by then they had also lost three wickets, all to the pace of Tom Fogerty (7-3-4-3).

First change Ryan Dennis continued to chip away with three more wickets - all clean bowled. Dillon kept the score creeping up with singles so that, at 65-7, it was anyone's game.

But he was left stranded on 21 not out as the last four batsmen were dismissed cheaply, opening bowler Harry Bushin returning to wrap things up with the last two wickets in three balls to give Belstone an 18 run victory.