Belvedere lost by five wickets to a talented Temple Cloud team.

BELVEDERE entertained a talented Temple Cloud team looking to push their way up the league table.

Having lost the toss once again, the home side were asked to bat on a wet track giving the bowlers lots of assistance. Belvedere were soon in trouble as Chadwick and Newman fell to the accurate seam of Curtis, who bowled a fine 12 over spell for just 13 runs.

Brad Ashfield (22) led a fightback before being caught. Joe Gadd batted with composure as wickets continued to fall, Mahoney having Crockett caught and Jones lbw.

At 31-5 the home side needed a partnership, Gadd (39) and debutant Justin Seale (24) batted sensibly, pushing Belvedere towards the 100 mark. The loss of both players in quick succession led to the collapse of the innings as only Sam McCrea (11) came to terms with difficult wicket as Belvedere’s innings ended on 116.

In reply, McCrea struck early having Sheppard caught at the wicket by Jones. Visiting captain Curtis led a counter attack hitting some fine boundaries before being undone by the extra pace of Huxtable.

Ashfield bowled a fine spell of accurate swing bowling being rewarded with the wicket of Hamblin. James looked to attack from the off before McCrea took a fine caught and bowled.

The obdurate Comer was finally removed with only three needed as Crockett took a fine low catch off Broadhead. Despite a fine bowling and fielding performance once again, Belvedere will rue the importance of losing the toss and not putting enough runs on the board.

Buildbase man of the match went to Joe Gadd for a battling performance in bowler friendly conditions.

? The seconds entertained fellow strugglers North Perrott in a bottom of the table clash. Home captain Sam Neate won the toss and invited the visitors to bat.

Opening bowlers Rob Statham (12-3-19-0) and CJ Neate (11-1-27-2) bowled tightly. Mike Hosey (9-1-35-3) came onto replace Neate and finished his first over by bowling Clarke.

Jamie Britton (9-1-33-0) replaced Statham and bowled well with no luck. Neate came back on to take two wickets, bowling one batsman and having another caught behind by keeper Rob Huish. Hosey took two more wickets, both outstanding catches from Matt McCarthy and David Long.

McCarthy and Nathan Hancock both recorded good run outs as North Perrott could only post 152.

In reply, Sam Neate was run out for one and then Hancock was bowled for eight. It needed some sensible batting from McCarthy (10) and Hosey (9), who stayed for 20 overs to ease the pressure.

The typical collapse occurred as Kyle Sully (16) and CJ Neate (12) made the only real contributions.

Buildbase man of the match was shared between Mike Hosey and Matt McCarthy.