Belvedere gained a crucial victory in their bid to escape relegation.

BELVEDERE entertained second-placed North Petherton knowing a win was imperative if they were to maintain their Division 1 status.

Having lost the toss Belvedere were asked to bat first and were soon in trouble losing both openers Cornish and Jones to the spin of Bunce.

Joe Gadd was run out while Ashfield launched a counter-attack, hitting four fours in an entertaining 25 before he was bowled.

The partnership between Chadwick and Crockett proved vital as the latter smashed 47 off 33 balls including five sixes. Chadwick was out for 21 and was soon followed by McCrea, leaving Belvedere struggling on 115-6. A collapse ensued as the home side were bowled out for 119.

In reply, Cornish took two quick wickets. Belvedere pressed home the advantage as Gadd bowled Bunce and Chadwick held one at slip to leave the visitors 13-4. Gadd (2-22) struck again, while Cornish was on fire, bowling a great spell and continued to take wickets.

With the innings in tatters, Cornish finished off the innings, bowling North Petherton all out for 48, with Cornish finishing with career best figures of 8-20 off 10.3 overs. The hosts picked up a vital 30 points in their quest for survival with Matt Cornish taking the WsM Auto Electrical man of the match award.

Belvedere

M Cornish c Thurston b Bunce 4

J Jones c L Irish b Bunce 5

B Ashfield b L Irish 25

Joe Gadd run out 2

N Chadwick c&b Gibbs 21

K Crockett c Gibbs b Knight 47

S McCrea lbw Knight 4

M Hosey b Knight 0

R Watts c L Irish b Thurston 0

M Broadhead not out 1

R Huish b Thurston 0

Extras 10

Total 119

North Petherton

L Irish c Ashfield b Cornish 3

L Knight b Cornish 0

D Tottle c Chadwick b Cornish 1

A Bunce b Joe Gadd 1

I Hucker b Cornish 6

H Bowditch c&b Joe Gadd 1

T Gibbs b Cornish 11

P Derbidge lbw Cornish 12

N Revans b Cornish 6

P Thurston c Huish b Cornish 3

A Bere not out 0

Extras 4

Total 48

Bowling: M Cornish 10.3-3-20-8; Joe Gadd 9-4-22-2; S McCrea 1-0-4-0.