Timberscombe v Ilfracombe

TIMBERSCOMBE entertained a strong Ilfracombe side and lost by 79 runs.

Ilfracombe elected to bat and got off to a shaky start, opener R Schiller being dismissed by Chris Hill without scoring.

Hill then bowled D Donovan for 22 and I Hale followed the next ball, and Hill claimed another wicket in his next over to reduce Ilfracombe to 54-4.

A tight spell from B Robinson claimed the key wicket of opener D Turton for 32, while a typically erratic spell from N Hill claimed the wicket of S Darke for 20 and two other middle order batsmen.

Chris Hill was brought back and claimed his fifth wicket and J Snell wrapped up the innings for 166 with a simple caught and bowled.

P Hayes and D Cook gave the Timberscombe reply off a steady start, but when Cook went the middle order collapsed with surprising ease as R Hutton bowled with venom to claim six wickets.

With the tail offering little more resistance than the middle order, Hayes was left stranded on 28 as the innings crumbled, and when he was finally dismissed, it was left to J Smith and Chris Hill to restore some respectability with a ninth wicket stand of 27.

When Hill was finally dismissed for 26, Timberscombe fell woefully short with just 87 runs.

Ilfracombe: 166 (D Turton 32, A Ward 30, C Hill 5-42, N Hill 3-26).

Timberscombe: 87 (P Hayes 28 C Hill 26, R Hutton 6-15, M Stribling 2-24).

Minehead v

Crusaders

THE rain spoilt a close finish in this match as the visitors chased Minehead Midweek XI's 195-8 total.

After a slow start, Minehead gradually increased the tempo with Matt Sully making his highest score of 95 and Geoff Murrell and D Pawson lending good support.

Crusaders' chase was led by opener Carr, who made 59 before being caught at long-off by D Hurley.

The impetus was maintained by G Timms' quick 28, leaving the visitors needing 63 off seven overs when the rain wiped out an entertaining game.

Minehead: 195-8 (M Sully 95, G Murrell 20, Whale 3-26, Timms 2-24, Braithwaite 2-26).

Crusaders: 133-5 (Carr 59, Timms 28, M Gorman 2-12, G Murrell 2-27).

Minehead United Banks v Post Office

IN a close-fought match last Tuesday, United Banks failed to complete a double as the Post Office won their 20-overs match with three balls to spare.

The Banks innings started badly with both Vasser and Foster run out inside the first six overs, but Lee Baker with 24 and steady 32no from Neil Rowse kept them afloat.

However, it was a quick half-century from Steve Smith which included three sixes from his last three balls which lifted the total to 134-4.

In reply the Post Office were always up with the required rate, and despite some good bowling from Smith and Bissold they sneaked home with five wickets in hand.

United Banks: 134-4 (S Smith 52no, N Rowse 32no, L Baker 24).

Post Office: 135-5 (M Rawle 42).

Brompton Ralph v West Somerset All Stars

A SURPRISE awaited Brompton Ralph veteran Roy Takle when he returned from a visit to Tropiquaria on Sunday - a 60th birthday party and two cricket teams ready to do battle.

The surprise for the long-serving stalwart was organised by the club's ladies, and an enjoyable match resulted in a tie between Brompton Ralph and a West Somerset All Stars XI which featured players Roy has had many tussles with over the years.

Afterwards, Roy expressed his thanks to all concerned for the much appreciated surprise.

Brompton Ralph: 178-9 (P Poole 71, B Stone 25, I White 19no, R Takle 17, D How 4-27, J Bailey 2-27, D Ash 2-55).

West Somerset All Stars: 178-8 (A Summers 48, D Prescott 30, K Prescott 28, D Sherring 20, C Takle 3-9).