Belvedere were well beaten by league leaders Wellington, going down by 139 runs.

BELVEDERE entertained league leaders Wellington and having won the toss the visitors elected to bat first.

Belvedere started well as Rob Watts at square leg ran out Holloway. For Wellington, Short and Sparks looked to rebuild the innings as Matt Cornish and Jack Gadd bowled well.

Short made a solid 61 before Sam McCrea bowled him leaving Wellington 139-2 in the 27th over. Gill and Sparks continued to prosper as all the home bowlers suffered. Watts and Broadhead showed some control, but could not take the vital wickets needed.

Sparks made a fine 109 before Mike Hosey caught him at long-off off Cornish. Jack Gadd removed Capaldi for 10 as Cornish caught him at long-off. Gill launched into the home bowlers racing to 93 not out as the innings came to a close at 304-4.

Belvedere were unfortunate to lose McCrea as he pulled straight to mid-wicket. Chadwick and Jermaine Jones looked to counter attack and at 81-1, the home side looked to be making a strong challenge.

However, Hendy bowled Chadwick break the partnership. Jones and Joe Gadd continued to bat sensibly before Jones was bowled attempting a reverse sweep off spinner Weerawarna.

From 115-3 Belvedere collapsed to 127-8 as Weerawarna destroyed the middle order of Cornish, Crockett, Jack Gadd and Lodge. When Joe Gadd was adjudged leg before off Weerawarna, the innings looked to be heading to a quick end.

Hosey and Watts batted sensibly pushing the score past the 160 mark. Hosey was removed by a Desave yorker and Broadhead soon followed caught at cover as the innings finished on 165 all out.

W-s-M Auto Electricals man of the match went to Jones.

WELLINGTON

P Short b McCrea 61

M Holloway run out 1

A Sparks c Hosey b Cornish 109

M Gill not out 93

M Capaldi c Cornish b Jack Gadd 10

N Hendy not out 9

Extras 21

Total (4 wkts) 304

Bowling: M Cornish 11-0-60-1; Joe Gadd 4-0-20-0; Jack Gadd 10-0-94-1; S McCrea 7-0-35-1; R Watts 8-0-46-0; M Broadhead 5-0-37-0.

BELVEDERE

N Chadwick b Hendy 36

S McCrea c Capaldi b Trott 7

J Jones b Weerawarna 45

Joe Gadd lbw Weerawarna 19

M Cornish c Gill b Weerawarna 0

K Crockett b Weerawarna 2

Jack Gadd c Short b Weerawarna 0

J Lodge c Bath b Weerawarna 0

M Hosey b Desave 11

R Watts not out 15

M Broadhead c Short b Desave 3

Extras 29

Total 165