Belvedere earned maximum points on their first-ever visit to Baltonsborough.

BELVEDERE began their league season with a first-ever visit to Baltonsborough and were asked to bat on a green wicket.

Openers Kevin Crockett and Sam Neate (9) added 44 before Neate was trapped leg before. New skipper Sam Mccrea (15) joined Crockett before he fell well caught at gulley.

Belvedere were well placed on 101-2, but on resumption struggled to maintain momentum and only 20 runs were added in the next 11 overs. Crockett brought up his 50 in this period and Nathan Hancock departed for 38 bringing Neil Chadwick to the crease.

He quickly found the boundaries as Crockett departed for 68 in the 43rd over. Chadwick helped himself to an unbeaten 44 as 51 were added in the last six overs, helped by two sixes from Jack Neville (12) in the last over.

Belvedere finished on 208-5 and a set competitive target for the home side.

Belvedere made the perfect start as Mccrea dismissed skipper Creed without scoring and took two further wickets to put Belvedere in control.

However, they were held up by Mines, Barron and Miller, who all looked to play their shots. The game was edging towards the home side until Nil Chatterjee quickly accounted for Mines and Miller (47) and two further wickets for Chatterjee courtesy of good catches from Chadwick and Neate swung the game back in Belvedere`s favour.

Neville quickly removed the last two home wickets to dismiss Baltonsborough for 172.

All Stars Sports Bar man of the match was Nil Chatterjee (4-24), ably assisted by Mccrea (3-37) and Neville (2-4) to give Belvedere a maximum 35 points.

THE 2nd XI faced a strong Temple Cloud side in their first home game of the season.

Temple Cloud struggled to score freely with Lodge (2-30) and Jennings (0-23), with help from a superb show of spin bowling from young Joe Statham, who finished with 1-24 off six overs including his first wicket for the club, the away side were struggling on 106-4.

With an inexperienced side, Lodge had to mix his bowlers up and with Veater scoring 101 not out and Gale 44 not out, they took the score to 235-4.

In reply, Belvedere reached 18 without loss after three overs before Bennett was bowled for eight. There was a constant tumble of wickets from that point with Belvedere being dismissed for a dismal 69, with Platts and Heal the only batsmen with double figures.

The All Stars Sports Bar man of the match went to Joe Statham.