BELVEDERE secured their third consecutive victory in a thrilling manner with a four-run victory against Temple Cloud.

BELVEDERE secured their third consecutive victory in a thrilling manner with a four-run victory against Temple Cloud.

Belvedere won the toss and chose to bat, and openers Neil Chadwick and Anup Kolambkar had to work hard against accurate bowling. The first wicket fell with 35 on the board as Chadwick was caught off the impressive Gale.

Kolambkar was joined by Joe Gadd and although progress was slow few chances were offered. Gadd was caught behind for 17 and wickets then proceeded to fall quickly as Crockett and Gullick were dismissed cheaply. Kolambkar hit his maiden fifty for the club but was unlucky to be caught on the boundary for a fine 61, leaving Belvedere in trouble on 113-5.

Skipper Ian Tasker and Kevin Burgess picked up useful runs in the later overs, but it was a fantastic cameo from the evergreen Andy Loud which took the home side to respectability. Loud smashed two sixes and two fours in a quickfire 25 not out, and the runs were to prove to be vital as the innings closed on 171-9.

Temple Cloud started strongly in reply, Hayne and Sheppard looking in good touch. Loud removed Sheppard, thanks to a fine catch from Kolambkar. The visitors dominated the next phase as Curtis joined Hayne and found runs easy to come by.

Tasker brought on spinners Kolambkar and Dave Taylor to slow the flow of runs and this worked as both batsman became frustrated. An excellent catch in the deep by Brian Hosey off Kolambkar put Belvedere back in the game although by this stage Temple Cloud were on 106.

The innings then collapsed as Taylor ripped through the middle order, taking 4-29 off 10 tight overs. Loud held two marvellous catches on the boundary for two of these wickets. Joe Gadd removed Hayne, thanks to a fine stumping by Ray Dibben, and Gullick did well to hang on to a slip catch off Hosey.

However a late rally inspired by Mahoney looked like securing victory, but Kolambkar was brought back and removed Perkins, leaving Belvedere one wicket from victory.

However when Hosey dropped Mahoney with only eight to win it looked like Belvedere had blown their chances. Kolambkar ensured the victory by removing Campbell, Dibben holding the catch with Temple Cloud four runs shy on 167.

Tasker Printers man of the match went to Anup Kolambkar.

Belvedere 2nds made the long trip to the picturesque setting at Stourton House to play bottom placed Kilmington and Stourton.

Belvedere won the toss and invited Kilmington to bat. Matt Huxtable was soon into his stride, bowling with pace and accuracy. He bowled Kilmington's opener for a duck and was unfortunate to suffer a shoulder injury that stopped his bowling.

Andy Taylor struggled at first but once he found his line and length was rewarded with 4-44 from his 12 overs. Rob Statham replaced Huxtable and bowled with guile to take 3-30 from 11 overs. Gary Rogerson was able to mop up the tail with 2-11, leaving Kilmington on 102 all out which was aided by 31 extras, an area that needs improvement.

In reply Belvedere made good progress and lost only Adam Cooper in the run chase. Jon Lodge played with caution to carry his bat for 39 not out and Matt Vincent powered his way to 47 not out in a clinical run chase by the batsmen. Belvedere won by nine wickets with 20 overs to spare. Tasker Printers man of the match was Andy Taylor.

Belvedere lost the toss and were asked to bat. Brad Ashfield and Ashley Woodall opened the batting and Woodall was lucky not to be out for a third consecutive duck when dropped on zero. Ashfield hit 23 and Woodall 28, but these were the only batsman to reach double figures as Belvedere were all out for 89.

Belvedere took the field, and despite good bowling from Nittin Takyar, Bradly Ashfield, Paul Davis and Jamie Loud the game slipped away quickly with only one wicket falling from the bowling of Ashfield. Uphill Castle were worthy winners, hitting 91 for 1. Man of the match goes to Bradly Ashfield.