ANOTHER fine innings from Andy Ashfold propelled Burnham to victory over an eight-man Belvedere side.

The opener struck an unbeaten 88 as Burnham declared on 204-4 in the 40th over. A depleted Belvedere were then dismissed for just 47. Aston (4-31) and Harding (3-4) doing the damage for Burnham, with Harding’s wickets making-up a quite brilliant hat-trick in first over of the innings. .

Batting first, Burnham got off to a good start, with Ashfold and Pete Gaylard putting on 32 in the first six overs. Gaylard was dismissed for 17, but A Martin (23) and G Clifton (42) supported Ashfold, who continued his fine form to finish just 12 short of a third successive hundred, when the threat of rain forced a declaration.

Belvedere clearly had a mountain a climb, and the dismissal of Lodge (16) with the score at 21 did not help their cause. Wickets fell at regular intervals and when Aston claimed his fourth wicket, having P Davis caught and bowled, Cain Harding was introduced to the attack. Harding then finished the game with a superb hat-trick, clean bowling the final three batsmen to wrap up a comprehensive victory for Burnham.