Belvedere hit back to force a tie against league leaders North Petherton.

BELVEDERE travelled to table-toppers North Petherton on a wet blustery afternoon knowing an improved performance was needed.

Having lost the toss once again Belvedere were asked to bat. Chadwick and Newman put together a solid opening partnership seeing off the early movement of Gibbs and Williams. Chadwick (34) looked comfortable until Irish bowled him.

Newman (23) continued to grind out runs as Gadd and Huxtable fell to the slow bowling of Williams and Thurston. With runs at a premium, Newman and Jones were out looking to push on the scoring rate.

It was left to Crockett (25) to see Belvedere to a respectable total of 130 as McCrea, Mike Hosey and Dave Taylor all perished in the final overs. Brian Hosey and Broadhead remained unbeaten at the end leaving North Petherton 131 to win.

With early wickets needed, veteran paceman Brian Hosey had an instant impact having O Irish caught and bowled and Heath caught at the wicket by Jones.

Young McCrea showed good control alongside Hosey, as the home side struggled to score. With the game evenly balanced, the introduction of Broadhead had an instant impact having Bowditch leg before.

Taylor changed the game in a two over spell removing the trio of Williams, Gibbs and Hucker as North Petherton were reduced to 65-6.

A partnership between the Irish brothers got the home side back into the game before McCrea struck having Lewis Irish excellently caught in the gully by Gadd. The game remained tense as Lloyd Irish and K Williams pushed the home side over the 100 mark.

McCrea got the vital breakthrough having Irish caught and bowled to set up a thrilling finish. With four needed off two overs, captain Chadwick introduced himself into the attack, his first ball went for three leaving the scores tied.

His second lured Williams to mis-time a pull shot to Crockett at short mid wicket. After two blocks by Thurston, Chadwick beat his defences and bowled him leaving the scores tied at 130.

In a game that could have gone either way Belvedere came away the happier as they gained 24 points.

Once again Belvedere’s young team showed fighting qualities and good heart, McCrea, Taylor and Brian Hosey all bowled superbly and Newman and Crockett batted sensibly in difficult conditions.

Buildbase man of the match went to Chadwick.

? Belvedere seconds travelled the short distance to face fellow relegation strugglers Cheddar.

Captain Sam Neate won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. Opening bowlers Rob Statham (4-17) and CJ Neate (2-26) bowled tightly and took early wickets with Statham bowling French and Neate bouncing out Mehlig, well caught by Rob Huish.

They continued to pile on the pressure and Ross Wood (0-24) came on to take the pace off the ball with his leg spin, the Cheddar batsman struggled and Statham continued to take wickets at the other end.

Second team debutant Jamie Britton (3-38) replaced Wood and bowled a consistent line and length. Sam Neate (1-4) came on to finish the Cheddar innings having Meadowcroft caught by Kyle Sully.

Chasing 119 for their first win of the season, Belvedere struggled and the familiar collapse occurred, with only Loud (17) and Statham (17) getting into double figures, Belvedere finishing 72 all out and taking only 13 points.

Buildbase man of the match was Rob Statham.

? After winning the toss, Belvedere A inserted the hosts on a damp surface. The opening pair of Davis and Jennings bowled well without success. However, it was the introduction of Lodge (9.4-1-21-5) and Fairhurst (7-1-19-3) that troubled the Sports innings.

Jack Neville then assisted with a run out and took a wicket with his first delivery to reduce the home team to 98 all out.

Belvedere’s batsmen could not handle the opening pair of brothers Winter and capitulated to 58 all out in only 15 overs. Lodge top scored with 31.

Buildbase man of the match was John Lodge.