Rain-affected draw for Belvedere

Belvedere picked up 25 points in a rain-affected draw at Wells.

BELVEDERE travelled to Wells for their latest Somerset League Division 2 fixture, still looking for their first win of the season.

The home side were asked to bat in helpful bowling conditions which Belvedere failed to capitalise on as Wells made a free scoring start, adding 125 for the first wicket until Neil Chadwick accounted for Smart, well held by Jack Neville.

Runs continued to flow before an hour break for rain reduced the match by 11 overs. Wells ended their innings on 223-4 with wickets claimed by Chadwick (3-56) and Nilanjan Chatterjee (1-56).

Belvedere, with 41 overs to reach their target, soon lost skipper Kevin Crockett, but opening partner Sam Mccrea was in superb form, finding the boundaries with ease.

He and Bradley Ashfield kept the scoreboard ticking along healthily as Eurocams man of the match Mccrea reached his half century with a six, eventually falling for an outstanding 74, including 12 fours and two sixes.

Ashfield reached his maiden first half-century in similar fashion to Mccrea, but fell shortly after for a fine 52 and the visitors on 158-4. Brian Hosey (28) and Nathan Hancock (17) attempted to keep the momentum going, before the innings ended on 199-8 in a rain-affected draw, seeing Belvedere collect 25 points and Wells 30.