Belvedere defeat Watchet by just six runs in their final league match of the season.

BELVEDERE entertained Watchet in their final league game of the year looking to continue their good recent form.

The home side were asked to bat first and made a positive start as Chadwick and Taylor put on 152 for the first wicket before Taylor (45) was caught. Chadwick continued to push the scoring rate and reached his century, including 15 fours and two sixes.

Belvedere lost wickets in the pursuit of boundaries leaving Crockett (27) and Loud to get the home side to a competitive 239-6 at tea.

In reply, Watchet soon lost an early wicket as Hosey had Woolgrove caught at the wicket by Huish. The introduction of Sam McCrea had an immediate effect as Manley was caught for a fine 52. Father and son pair M and R Strong continued to pressure the Belvedere bowlers before McCrea bowled M Strong (29) to leave the visitors 156-3.

With five overs to go and 33 runs needed, the re-introduction of Taylor (3-53) changed the game drastically as he took two wickets, including R Strong caught for 94.

With one over remaining, Watchet needed seven for victory, but Taylor bowled a tight over, including a wicket as the visitors finished six short on 233-8.

Belvedere finished sixth in Division 1 of the Somerset League. Buildbase man of the match was shared by Chadwick and Taylor

? The inaugural Belvedere Under-21s versus Over-21s game was a thrilling encounter going down to the last ball.

Having won the toss, the youngsters’ captain Jermaine Jones decided to bat first, but soon lost McCarthy for nought. Cornish batted superbly, making a fine 106 not out and well supported by McCrea (27), Jones (36), Hancock (46) and Sam Jennings (11), the Under-21s reached 248 all out after their allocated 30 overs.

For the Over-21s, Davis (1-28), Newman (2-25) and Gullick (2-23) bowled well under pressure.

In reply, the Over-21s got off to a flying start as Crockett (16) took McCrea for four boundaries before he was caught by Jones. McCrea and Jennings bowled well in tandem reducing the Over-21s to 42-4.

A 100-run partnership between Chadwick (68) and Newman (66 not out) brought the veterans back into the game and were seen home by J Loud (45 not out) and Newman, who hit the last ball to the boundary for victory.

Many thanks go to Lesley and John Hosey for a fantastic tea and Donna Chadwick for scoring.