BELVEDERE finished their season with victory over Taunton Civil Service, securing a fifth place finish.

BELVEDERE finished their season with victory over Taunton Civil Service, securing a fifth place finish.

Taunton elected to bat and soon lost Stone and Tottle both bowled by Brian Hosey. Fine work by Joe Gadd resulted in the run-out of Graddon without troubling the scorers and Taunton were in disarray.

Opener Glinn showed defiance and supported by the middle order, dug their side out of trouble.

Ashley Woodall dismissed Stokes and Knight, bringing K Graddon to the crease. He struck a rapid 41 before being caught behind off Hosey on his return to the attack.

Dave Taylor picked up two wickets, but the pick of the bowlers were Hosey, 2-15 off 11 overs and Woodall 2-23 off eight as the Taunton innings closed on 181-9.

Belvedere also started poorly, quickly losing Anup Kolambkar and Gary Gullick. Neil Chadwick and Joe Gadd rebuilt patiently, before Chadwick was unlucky to be adjudged caught behind for 30. Gadd followed for the same score, bowled by Graddon.

A crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 66 followed between Kevin Burgess and skipper Ian Tasker, who was back to his attacking best before he was dismissed for 46.

Burgess remained resolute and guided his side to victory with an unbeaten 39 as Ray Dibben hit the winning runs with a ball to spare.