MINEHEAD and North Newton enjoyed a closely fought encounter on a neutral ground in Taunton due to the foot and mouth outbreak and came out of it with a winning draw.

Minehead were asked to bat first on what proved to be a difficult track which got easier as the game progressed.

With a weakened line-up Ian Bowditch and David Lethaby got the Seasiders off to a good start with 36 coming up in the tenth over but then they were both dismissed.

At 74-4 15 year-old Matt Sully joined captain Stuart Tudball and they had a partnership of 55 in just 14 overs which was full of excellent running and despatching of the loose ball.

Sully's 32 included five fours and Tudball, whose 54 (seven 4) was his fourth fifty of the season, maintained his good form.

Craig Sully then played a cameo innings which included three 4s in one over and David Hurley, Nigel Bowditch and Richard Jones scored quickly as 65 came off the final ten overs.

The final score of 199 looked ample, especially as David Hurley and Nigel Bowditch reduced North Newton to 70-6, aided by some excellent catches from Bowditch and 15-year-old Tom Downer.

However North Newton counter attacked to leave the game in the balance until another well judged catch in the deep by Downer gave Hurley his fifth wicket.

The visitors needed 20 to run off two overs and Minehead needed the last remaining wicket but the last pair survived so the home side had to settle for the winning draw.

Dave Hurley finished with the excellent figures of 5-29 off his 15 overs, receiving good support from his fielders, eight catches being taken during the innings, and from keeper Adam Jones.

Minehead: 199-9 (S Tudball 54, M Sully 32, I Bowditch 19).

North Newton: 186-9 (D Hurley 5-29, N Bowditch 3-71).

Points: Minehead I 20 North Newton 13.