Belstone v Filleigh

Belstone finally recorded their first North Devon League Division One win of the season at the fourth attempt with a comprehensive ten-wicket demolition of visitors Filleigh, who arrived with a mostly young and inexperienced eleven. Belstone skipper Richard Drake, fresh from his Curworthy Cheese first prize at the Devon County Show (a ‘celebration cake’ inspired by Exeter Chiefs rugby team), won the toss and asked Filleigh to bat. From the outset they struggled to get the ball away with all the bowlers causing problems and chipping in with wickets. Key to Belstone’s success was the early removal of No 3 Justin Saker, who edged a sharp delivery from Ryan Dennis to keeper Pat Ewen to depart for 7, and Filleigh skipper Jaz Kalsi who was bowled for 10 with the delivery of the match, a good length in-swinger from Arden Frew-Smith which beat his defensive push. No 4 Kevin Toze was unfortunately forced to retire after receiving a full toss no-ball direct onto his thumb, a delivery that earned Dennis a warning from umpire Paul Argyle. Opener Ollie Squire tried to hold the innings together with a patient 95 minute marathon which ended when he was fifth out for the top-score of 18 when the score had reached 53 in the 24th over. Filleigh had been unable to score much above two an over from the start and the introduction of spinners Tom Pearce and Alex Jopling brought no relief for them. In fact Pearce, in his first appearance of the season, polished off the innings in grand style with a hat trick – first Drake dived at first slip to take a one-handed catch to dismiss Edward Butler (6), then Toze re-appeared but was promptly bowled first ball off an inside edge, and finally last man Anna Squire popped a simple catch to Jimmy Ewen at silly mid off.

Needing only 76 to win, Belstone openers Ryan Dennis (29 not out) and Jimmy Ewen (21 not out) ensured there were no alarms with a solid partnership (helped by 25 wides) that saw the home team to victory in quick time off just 13 overs.