Belvedere fell short by 65 runs in their latest defeat at North Curry.

BELVEDERE set off to top of the league North Curry in high spirits after last week’s bottom of the table clash triumph.

However, things did not start well as Joe Gadd lost the toss and Belvedere were condemned to field in the afternoon heat. North Curry started strongly, reaching 50 without loss against the opening partnership off Gadd and Ashfield.

It took McCrea to be introduced into the attack to begin Belvedere’s fightback. North Curry fell from 50-0 to 92-4 as McCrea took three wickets and Gadd finished his 12 over spell with figures of 12-4-31-1.

Bulbeck and Clift set about rebuilding the innings and making 64 and 43 respectively, setting up an onslaught when Belvedere were hit for 50 in the last three overs, with North Curry finishing on 257.

Belvedere’s reply started poorly with Chadwick falling for nought and captain Gadd soon after for four. This left Ashfield and Jermaine Jones at the crease together, who shared a 50 partnership in eight overs before Jones was dismissed for a 25-ball 38.

Ashfield followed shortly after for a well-made 37 and Belvedere threatened the standard collapse.

However, Kev Crockett played his career-best first team knock, making an entertaining 52 and while Jack Gadd (28) partnered him, a victory looked possible. However, they were both dismissed within six balls of each other, leaving Belvedere all out for 192.

Eurocams man of the match went to Kev Crockett.

THE seconds entertained local rivals Uphill Castle Cavaliers at Priory School and registered a resounding win by 162 runs.

Having lost the toss, Belvedere were asked to bat and raced to 24 before Jon Lodge (18) was dismissed. This brought in Ben Robinson who forged a partnership of 94 with Sam Neate before the latter was caught on the boundary for a well made 51.

Robinson continued to dominate the bowling and had able support from Wigg (20) and Neville (17), finishing on 95 not out, the home innings ending on 227-7.

Pick of the Uphill bowlers was Gary Kennedy with 3-39 and special mention to Kieron Chapman who bowled five overs for five runs.

Uphill’s innings never got going as Belvedere’s bowlers got their rewards with wickets going to Gary Rogerson (3-12), CJ Neate (3-22), Jamie Britton (2-24) and Paul Davis (1-3), Uphill ending on 65 all out.

Eurocams man of the match was Ben Robinson.