STAPLEGROVE ran out comfortable winners against Belvedere, chasing down the target of 210 with five overs remaining.

STAPLEGROVE ran out comfortable winners against Belvedere, chasing down the target of 210 with five overs remaining.

Belvedere lost the toss and were asked to bat and got off to the worst possible start as Chadwick was dismissed in the first over. Gadd and Kolambkar fell shortly afterwards leaving Belvedere in all sorts of trouble at 30-3.

Gary Gullick and Rob Watts looked to restore Belvedere's fortunes, batting extremely well under great pressure. Gullick produced his best innings of the season, mixing defence with attack with great skill. Watts supported Gullick with great skill and the pair put on 98 for the fourth wicket when Watts was caught for 32. Gullick continued his accumulation of runs supported by Ian Tasker who was out leg before for 14. Gullick was eventually dismissed for a fantastic 80. Lusty hitting from Kev Crockett and Andy Loud took Belvedere to over 200 runs and maximum batting points, the innings closing on 209-7.

Opening bowlers Brian Hosey and Andy Loud started well and Loud was rewarded for a good spell, dismissing Penny for 10. A smart run-out from Watts put Belvedere on top as Staplegrove were reduced to 33-2.

Sizer and Fitt batted Belvedere out of the game, though, as runs were accumulated at a reasonable rate and despite a good catch from Joe Gadd off Anup Kolambkar's off-spin Miller provided good support for Sizer who moved from strength to strength. Belvedere did not help themselves with poor catching and although Kolambkar dismissed Sizer late on Staplegrove were well worth their win.

Tasker Printers man of the match went to Gary Gullick for an excellent innings.

On a glorious sunny day Belvedere entertained table topping Sparkford in a 1st v 2nd Clash.

Belvedere won the toss and asked Sparkford to bat on a much improved but still sporting Clarence Park pitch. Sparkford made a good start and soon raced to 44 without loss before Rob Statham made the breakthrough. When the second wicket fell with the score on 72 Sparkford were well set for a big score. Jack Gadd joined fellow Welshman Statham in the attack and wickets started to tumble as the pair bowled an immaculate line and length. Statham finished with 4-26 and Gadd 4-29. The other wickets to fall were a run out from a powerful Jimmy Maitland throw and a wicket for the impressive pace of Matt Huxtable (1-16). Sparkford collapsed to 89 all out.

Belvedere's reply was based on an aggressive batting display from Adam Cooper who punished anything loose to race to 46 not out. Aided by 21 extras Belvedere passed the total in only 14.5 overs and passed the league leaders in an impressive display. Belvedere gained a maximum 35 points to Sparkford's six.

Tasker Printers man of the match was shared between fellow Welshmen Rob Statham and Jack Gadd.

Belvedere A XI defeated Cheddar by 55 runs, thanks to a great bowling display from Brad Ashfield.

Belvedere lost the toss and were put in to bat. Andy Marshall and Ashley Woodall went in first, Andy Marshall only lasted three balls before he was caught just in front of first slip, Adam Brueford and Brad Ashfield shortly followed.

Wayne Hind and Ashley Woodall put on 50 runs before Woodall (36) was caught in the outfield after batting for 17 overs .Wickets kept falling around Wayne Hind until he was out on 27. Graham Wigg batted well for 13 as Belvedere finished on 121 all out.

Belvedere took the field after tea with Brad Ashfield and Ashley Woodall opened the bowling. Chedder wickets kept falling quickly with Paul Davis and Graham Wigg bowling well. Good fielding by Belvedere saw Cheddar dismissed for 66 with Ashfield finishing with figures of 8.1-2-10-5. Tasker Printers man of the match was Brad Ashfield.