BELVEDERE were well beaten by an impressive Ilton side by 117 runs.

BELVEDERE were well beaten by an impressive Ilton side by 117 runs.

Ilton won the toss and chose to bat on a fine batting track. Brian Hosey and Joe Gadd opened the bowling, Gadd being rewarded with the wicket of Venn who was well held by Matt Huxtable.

Huxtable replaced Hosey in the attack and lured Price into a false shot and Dave Taylor held the catch to give Belvedere their second wicket. Selway was beginning to dominate the Ilton innings, punishing any short balls with relish. Spinners Taylor and Anup Kolambkar were able to put a brake on the scoring rate, denying Selway the strike and bowling a good line and length.

Taylor deceived Oliver allowing Rob Tasker to take a comfortable catch and Kolambkar was rewarded with two wickets from his 12 overs. Selway remained unbeaten and savaged the bowling in the later overs as Ilton posed an imposing target of 277-6.

Belvedere's response got off to a disappointing start as Gullick was dismissed for seven. Gadd and Kolambkar looked comfortable and took the total to 55 before Gadd was run out. Kolambkar was dismissed the following over leaving the reply in tatters.

Neil Chadwick and Rob Tasker set about repairing the damage before Chadwick was the victim of a poor leg before decision and was out for 20. Tasker carried his bat for a fine 47, receiving late support from skipper Ray Dibben who smashed a late 20 to take Belvedere to eight batting points and a total of 160-9.

Tasker Printers man of the match went to Anup Kolambkar.

Belvedere Seconds started the second half of their campaign with a hard fought victory over a spirited South Petherton side.

Batting first, Belvedere made steady progress as skipper Martin Taylor made 40. Wickets started to tumble with batsmen making starts but not able to make a big score and at 129-9 Belvedere were in trouble.

Andy Taylor and Rob Statham staged a superb recovery with a last-wicket partnership of 50. Taylor played with good common sense to finish 31 not out and Statham made some fine blows in his 29. Belvedere finished 179 all out.

South Petherton, in reply, made a steady start. The breakthrough came when Sam McRae had Petherton skipper caught behind. Brad Ashfield bowled an excellent spell and picked up a wicket with a disguised slower ball. Kevin Burgess bowled with good pace and was rewarded with three vital wickets in the middle of the innings.

This season's main destroyer Rob Statham was introduced to the attack and he did not disappoint as he accounted for two South Petherton batsmen. Gary Rogerson was introduced into the attack and his mix of flight and swing claimed the final three batsmen. Petherton were dismissed for 155 to leave Belvedere winners by 24 runs.

Tasker Printers man of the match was awarded to Andy Taylor and to Statham for a match winning 10th wicket partnership.

Belvedere A played at home and won the toss on a dry wicket full of bounce. Mark batted first and got off to a good start before the first wicket fell. Wickets were difficult to come by with poor fielding at times from Belvedere.

Bowling from Paul Davis, Ashley Woodall and John Lodge was tidy. Special mention to Brian Edwards who reached 98 before A Woodall bowled him as Mark finished on 190 for 8.

Belvedere struggled in response and fielding was tight all though the innings and wickets fell quickly. A Brueford (30), J Maitland (25) both batted well, J Maitland hit one four which ended up in a rabbit hole. The only six in the match came from Ashley Woodall as Belvedere fell to 151 all out . Tasker Printers man of the match was A Brueford.