BELVEDERE suffered a disappointing defeat away at league leaders Westlands.

BELVEDERE suffered a disappointing defeat away at league leaders Westlands.

Belvedere lost the toss and were asked to bowl on a good batting track in perfect conditions. Opening bowlers Brian Hosey and Kevin Burgess bowled well, but wickets were hard to come by as Davis and Boucher batted well.

Joe Gadd eventually forced the breakthrough bowling Boucher for 40. Dave Taylor took the second wicket as Ray Dibben smartly stumped Gundry. Having left wickets in hand, Westlands were able to accelerate their scoring rate at the end of the innings which did offer wicket-taking opportunities. Anup Kolambkar bowled Davis for 70, and a smart catch from Joe Gadd gave Kolambkar his second wicket.

Brian Hosey returned to take two wickets but Westlands were able to post a competitive 248-6 from their 45 overs.

Belvedere's reply started well as openers Kolambkar and Neil Chadwick found boundaries easy to come by. Chadwick looked in great form but when he was bowled by Lee for a fine 35, wickets fell quickly.

Gadd and Gary Gullick were quickly dismissed by Lee and when Kolambkar was dismissed for 49, Belvedere's hopes were left hanging by a thread. Rob and Ian Tasker maintained the run rate but when Ian Tasker was adjudged out leg before wicket and Rob Tasker was bowled by Dyer, the task became impossible. The lower order did not muster any resistance and the innings closed on 152 all out.

Tasker Printers man of the match went to Anup Kolambkar.

The Seconds entertained Taunton St Andrew's at Clarence Park and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat.

Matt Huxtable made the initial breakthrough, bowling the St Andrew's opener. Matt Vincent bowled a short spell having struggled to find a decent length but accounted for the other opener.

St Andrew's number 3 looked well set and played some fine shots before Rob Statham forced him to play across a straight one to trap him leg before for 48. All Belvedere bowlers bowled well but were occasionally let down in the field. A wicket apiece for Paul Davis, Sam McRae and Dave Huxtable helped restrict the visitors to 171- 6, a good score on Clarence's interesting wicket.

Belvedere's reply was based around a solid innings from skipper Martin Taylor who found form early on. Jon Lodge and Matt Vincent fell cheaply but Dave Huxtable joined Taylor to steady the ship. Huxtable was eventually caught for 29 and Taylor fell soon after for a fine 63.

Sam McRae again played well to ease Belvedere towards the score. When he was dismissed Wayne Hind and Paul Davis finished the job, Hind with one memorable cover drive. Davis hit the winning runs with a boundary. Belvedere winning by three wickets.

Tasker Printers man of the match was skipper Martin Taylor.

The previous week Belvedere travelled to Huish and Langport and lost their 100 per cent record in a narrow defeat.

Belvedere made 149, thanks to a stylish 43 not out from McRae. Huish were reduced to 80-8 with Huxtable taking three wickets, but the hosts reached the target with two wickets remaining.

Tasker Printers man of the match was the talented Sam McRae.