Presidents Day Produced a Classic!

The twentieth match between Belstone and the President’s XI was blessed by hot sun from first ball to last, with the hard-fought game attracting a good crowd of Vice Presidents and supporters. Belstone’s innings was held together by opener Scott Tremain who batted for all but two overs of the 40 over innings. Starting cautiously in the face of accurate bowling from David Binns (8-3-13-1) and Charles Hedley-Dent (8-3-20-2) Tremain opened up in the second half of his knock, reaching a half century in 115 minutes and going on to score 85 with 10 fours and 2 sixes before being sixth out with the score on 157. The only blot on his copybook was to be involved in the run outs of the Dennis brothers, Ryan for two and Matt for 19.
Chasing 166 to win Peter Hammond’s Presidents team lost their openers with only 16 on the board, both clean bowled by Tom Fogerty. Jack Hatton (14) was Fogerty’s next victim, spectacularly caught one-handed on the run at mid on by Kyle May, and he finished his spell with a fourth wicket, that of the dangerous Greg Williams who hit two sixes in his 32. Three middle order wickets fell cheaply as the Presidents men played unnecessarily extravagant strokes to leave Belstone well on top at 81 for seven. Dan Fogerty then joined Graham Woods and they began a run-a-minute partnership which threatened to turn the game the Presidents way with Woods striking two sixes. Eventually, after adding 41 runs, Fogerty was bowled for 18 by Andy Paterson who then wound up the game with two more quick wickets including Woods for 33, to leave Belstone with a 40 run victory and a 9-7 lead in the match results since 1993. The successful day concluded with an evening of fund-raising which raised £850 towards the new pavilion.