Uphill Castle’s Kruz Belcher hit a career-best 61 not out for the Under-13s.

UPHILL Castle Under-13s made their second trip of the season to last year’s North Somerset League and cup winners Bristol.

After captain Joe Statham won the toss and chose to field, Bristol raced to 28 before Kruz Belcher ran out Marcus Stevens. Matthew Davis took a wicket with his first ball and then ran out another batsman as Bristol finished on 162-3.

Uphill soon lost opener Ahmed Malik and Bradley Patch. Tommy Llewellyn, Matthew Ogborne and Allan Moss suffered the same fate, leaving Uphill on 13-5. Belcher and Davis put on 48 before Davis was stumped for six. Aaron Hoddinott joined Belcher and helped him to his maiden 50 off only 41 deliveries. Hoddinott was caught by Adams for 12 in the 19th over with the score on 110.

Joe Statham (0 not out) helped Belcher carry his bat for a career best 61 not out, as Uphill fell short of their target reaching 117-7.

Jez Staham and Daniel Moss must be congratulated on their fielding having only a handful of games between them.

The Under-11s winning run came to an end as they were convincingly beaten by Bedminster by 95 runs.

Things started well enough with a sound opening partnership by skipper Dominic Boardman (4*) and Charlie Harding, but the innings was undermined by the accurate bowling and two run outs as 13 wickets fell, leaving Uphill floundering on 167 (Barrington).

Neve Kennedy and Sam Lance resisted the tide to remain unbeaten, and Tommy Carter and Guy Boardman hit some nice shots.

In the field, Dominic Boardman led the way with 2-12, from three overs, one of which was a fine catch by Tommy Carter. Other wicket-takers were Sam Lance (1-13) and Marcus Williams (1-2), with Charlie Biggs (1-4) and Neve Kennedy (1-9) each bowling accurately as Bedminster finished on 262-7

The Four Fifty Partnership man of the match award went to Dominic Boardman, with special performance awards going to Charlie Harding, Tommy Carter and Neve Kennedy.