Belvedere defeated close neighbours Banwell & Churchill by 16 runs in the first league match of the season.

Belvedere and Banwell renewed rivalries in their first Shrubbery Somerset League match of the season with Belvedere running out victors by 15 runs.

Belvedere were asked to bat first and were given an ideal start by Kevin Crockett and Mike Hosey in an opening stand of 53 before Hosey was caught at cover for 11.

Sam Neate joined Crockett and took the score to 91 before Crockett was caught for 47. Neate followed soon after for 17 and when Sam Mccrea (21) and CJ Neate (14) were dismissed, Belvedere were wobbling at 135-6.

An invaluable ninth wicket partnership of 24 between Andy Platts (10 not out) and Callum Ham (12), lifted the score to 177. For Banwell T Harvey returned figures of 5-41.

Banwell were given a steady start by Chadwick and Lloyd before the latter was well caught by Mccrea off the bowling of CJ Neate with the score on 31.

The introduction of Nilanjan Chatterjee proved decisive as wickets began to fall regularly. Chatterjee bowled an excellent spell of 9-2-16-3 as Banwell were unable to gain momentum.

At 82-6 and 113-8, Banwell appeared to be out of the game, but a defiant last wicket stand between D Chard (28) and D Bush (7 not out) saw Banwell to within 16 runs of victory, before Mccrea returned to the attack to dismiss Chard and Banwell for 162.

Wickets fell to Mccrea (1-15) Chadwick (1-25) Neate (1-37) and Crockett (2-22). All Stars Sports Bar man of the match was shared between Chatterjee and Crockett.

Belvedere 2nd XI made the short trip to Banwell & Churchill and bowled first on a green early season wicket.

Andy Marshall and Tom Cates put on 79 for the first wicket in 13 overs before Cates was out for 14. After a couple of wickets fell, Robinson joined Marshall and the pair put on 74 to take the score to 181-3 before Marshall was out for 119.

Further wickets fell before captain Jennings and Rossiter scored seven off the last over to take Belvedere to 207-6.

After tea, P Davis and J Britton opened the bowling for Belvedere and gave little away. Jennings came on and soon got the wicket of Mcullem for 16 and was assisted by a brilliant catch by M Cates.

Robinson (4-15) came on and took wickets to put Belvedere in the driving seat at 107-5 after 26 overs. Jennings (3-35) returned to pick up further wickets, helped by Rossiter (1-24) as Belvedere won by 26 runs.

All Stars Sports Bar man of the match was Andy Marshall.