Belvedere in a strong position when rain intervenes.

BELVEDERE began the season against seasoned Division 1 campaigners Staplegrove.

Having won the toss, home captain Neil Chadwick inserted the visitors. Belvedere’s opening bowlers began well against the attacking pair Sizer and Pantling.

Pantling looked to dominate before mistiming a drive in the air to Huxtable who took a fantastic catch at mid-wicket off Hosey. Sizer and Rowe began to dominate as McCrea and Hosey bowled well without luck.

With the visitors in control at 70-1, the introduction of Huxtable proved the spark that the home side needed as he removed both in quick succession, firstly the prolific Sizer (34) well caught at cover by debutant Hancock and then the dangerous Rowe well caught at gully by Chadwick.

With Taylor and Watts bowling tightly, Staplegrove’s run rate began to slow significantly. Taylor (12-2-24-3) removed Craggs, Bird and Horton in a fine spell of bowling aided by good catches by Hosey and Gadd.

Watts (8-2-22-1) rolled back the years with a fine spell having Hodge caught at gully by Gadd. With Staplegrove struggling against the accurate home bowling Ashfield (3-3) came on and soon wrapped up the innings as Bishop, Hewson and Read soon perished as Jones, Taylor and Hancock held fine catches.

Belvedere restricted their visitors to 143 all out as they produced a fantastic fielding performance to back up their accurate bowling efforts.

After tea, Belvedere’s opening pair Chadwick and Ashfield set about building a platform for victory, before Ashfield (13) was caught in the slips.

With the rain imminent Chadwick (16) and Huxtable (4) remained at the crease with the score at 33-1 before the showers began. The heavy showers meant that the game had to be called off with Belvedere in a strong position, Belvedere picked up 23 points to Staplegrove’s 20 in a fine team performance.

With stand-out performances from Taylor, Ashfield and Watts, it was veteran spinner Taylor who was awarded Buildbase man of the match .

? Belvedere Seconds travelled to Wembdon for their opening league fixture of the season and after losing the toss were soon in trouble as Crockett was dismissed in the opening over.

Mike Hosey soon followed to reduce the vistors to 8-2. Long (18) and Broadhead (9) steadied the ship. However, both fell to the home pace attack, this brought Statham to the fold and he made a fine 44, but after his departure the Belvedere innings capitulated and were all out for 108.

Davis (1-30) got the breakthrough after Griffith took a catch at square leg. Further wickets fell to Broadhead (1-34), Statham (1-18) and Little (1-26), but the home side went on to win by six wickets.

Buildbase man of the match went to Rob Statham.