Belstone Cricket Club - Devon village cricket club near Okehampton

Belstone began their 18th season at Rew Meadow under cloudless blue skies with a 47-run victory over Bridford. Put into bat they began with two early sixes from Richard Drake before Chaplin, with two wickets in his fifth over, pegged them back to 45 for four after 12 overs. Harry Bushin then joined Phil Woods for a scintillating partnership of 98 in 12 overs which included 13 fours and two sixes between them. The persevering Chaplin broke through again, removing Woods for 46 and Bushin for 50, whereupon the scoring rate dropped away dramatically so that the last 14 overs only produced another 43 runs. Chaplin finished with superb figures of six for 22 from eight overs, although Bridford were frustrated for nine overs at the end by a useful last wicket stand of 22 between Paul Selwood (4 not out) and Jonathan Parsons (17) which took the Belstone total up to 189 all out at tea.

Belstone opening bowler Bushin took a wicket with his first ball of the season and his partner Parsons followed up with three clean bowled to reduce the Bridford reply to 16 for four in the ninth over. After Johns was out for 19 with the score on 50 Wilson joined Joy for a sixth wicket partnership which threatened to turn the match Bridford’s way as Joy struck most of his eleven boundaries and a six. Although Wilson only made five runs before he was run out he kept Joy company while 83 were added. With Bridford needing to score at eight an over Joy had to open up even more and he was finally bowled by Calum Mallett (4-0-16-3) for a fine 92, at which point the innings caved in rapidly in the space of two overs as the last four wickets fell for one run.