South Notts League: Gibson fires Belvoir to emphatic win

Belvoir began their South Nottinghamshire League season with a convincing seven-wicket win in Division A at Balderton on Saturday.

The accurate Belvoir openers Danny Gibson (5 for 38) and Joe Bottomley (2 for 29) had seven Balderton batsmen back in their barracks for 35 runs in the 15th over, six having been clean-bowled.

But with Chris Dobbie (62 not out) still at bat there was no guarantee of an early finish. The Balderton captain was steadfast but not shy to hit the bad ball and dispatched Andy Dann (2 for 24) for a bruising six over long off.

Scott Barnsdale provided the grit at the other end, hitting 11 off 61 balls, while Daniel Pinfold (35) reined himself in to eke out 61 runs for the ninth wicket.

Belvoir’s fielding was always enthusiastic, including a direct hit run-out by Gibson from long off and an exemplary performance by wicket-keeper Ryan Lewis who took two catches and a stumping.

Chasing 146 to win, Belvoir’s openers went along steadily, Lewis (41) being the more cavalier, hitting consecutive fours straight down the ground.

Danny Wilson battled hard against some aggressive bowling and his 18 made no mean contribution to Belvoir’s platform for victory.

Three quick wickets gave cause for concern as Pinfold showed his all-round prowess with a nagging and, at times dangerous, spell of 10-1-28-2.

Vice-captain Lewis Dann (49 not out) steadied the ship with a typically electric innings which deserved a half-century.