OLD BELVEDERE'S hopes of making Section A of the River House Leinster Senior League are not quite extinct but after sharing the spoils, if not the bonus points, with The Hills at the Vineyard yesterday they are on something of a life support machine.

Matt Dwyer removed David Quinlan with the fifth ball of the second last over of the day but Andrew Dunne kept his head and stolidly played out the final six deliveries from Barry Archer without mishap.

Old Belvedere earlier had won the toss and put their opponents in to bat. Soon, The Hills were not so much alive with the sound of music as with the clatter of wickets tumbling, as they quickly slumped from 1 for 29 to 4 for 39.

Declan Moore and John Archer rescued the situation by putting on 54 for the fifth wicket before Owen Butler removed Moore.

Archer and John Andrews then combined in another invaluable stand, contributing 49 for the sixth wicket. A total of 177 was not a huge target for Old Belvedere to chase, though runs come not easily at the Vineyard.

Declan Moore (29), John Archer (38) and Andrews (34) did the main batting business for The Hills. Butler, apart from one over in which he did a creditable imitation of David hurling sling shots at Goliath, bowled very well, and worked hard for his 5 for 58 for Old Belvedere.

Old Belvedere's innings got away to a less than spectacular start and the first three wickets fell for only 17 runs. Ronan O'Sullivan and David O'Riordan were the top scoring batsmen but once they were removed by Barry Archer and Matt Dwyer respectively the visitors were involved in a damage limitation exercise.

Like Wexford at Croke Park, The Hills lost a player but it was Noel Harper's sore back, rather than any non cricket like behaviour, which resulted in a substitute fielder. Earlier, he had bowled well to claim the wickets of Anto Canavan and Greg Prouen but, not for the first time this season, Matt Dwyer did the most damage his 5 for 227 off 19 overs was simply superb bowling.

Yes, Old Belvedere denied the home side victory. But The Hills' bid for promotion is still very much alive.