Division One

Buckland St Mary v Roadwater

A GAME which appeared to be drifting away from Roadwater suddenly turned after an inspired spell of seam bowling by Simon Aspey saw home side Buckland St Mary lose six wickets for only six runs and lose by 44 runs.

Roadwater batted first and only David Hill (29) looked happy as they slumped to 64-6 with K Reed taking three of the wickets to fall. Fortunately for the visitors the tail wagged, with brothers Ben and Toby Brewer having a partnership of 40.

Buckland got off to a solid start and, assisted by some abysmal fielding by Roadwater, were on 51-1 after 12 overs. But things changed dramatically after Toby Brewer had removed R Maddocks for 21 and M Knight for 35 for Simon Aspey came into his own, although he had 10 runs knocked off his first over. In a six over spell his away and inswing bowling caused all sorts of problems to the home batsmen as he claimed 6-16 and helped gain his side an important victory.

Roadwater: 129 (B Brewer 31, D Hill 29, K Reed 3-37, R Maddocks 2-16).

Buckland St Mary: 85 (M Knight 35, R Maddocks 21, S Aspey 6-16, T Brewer 3-37).

Points: Buckland St Mary 6 Roadwater 24.

Crowcombe v

Brompton Ralph

CROWCOMBE recorded their first win of the season on Saturday when they beat Brompton Ralph by 66 runs.

Put into bat five home batsmen reached double figures with Stuart Bailey top scoring with 41. Brothers Dave and Nathan Hill took 3 wickets apiece for Brompton.

Brompton were going along steadily until the 70s when they lost three wickets and after losing three more with the score on 118 they never looked like getting the required runs and were all out for 130. Paul Poole top scored with 35 and Chris Brewer (3-11) and Stuart Bailey (3-30) were top wicket takers for Crowcombe.

Crowcombe: 196 (S Bailey 41, J Baker 39, M Baker 38, D Hill 3-26, N Hill 3-56, J Lee 2-25).

Brompton Ralph: 130 (P Poole 35, M Lawrence 23, J Lee 18, C Brewer 3-11, S Bailey 3-30, C Lewis 2-44).

Wyvern Saints v

Timberscombe

TIMBERSCOMBE visited Wyvern Saints on Saturday and came away with a victory by 24 runs.

Timberscombe again lost the toss and were asked to bat on a wicket that was very lively throughout the game. The opening batsmen struggled from the start against the accurate bowling of J Rowse and J Hawkins and in the 17th over two wickets fell with only 40 on the board. Gary Thorpe (41) then joined Ian Goodrum (89) and gradually accelerated the run rate with a stand of 97. Goodrum's innings ended when he was caught off the last ball of the innings.

Wyvern's reply also started slowly and after 23 overs had scored 42 for the loss of three wickets due to the accurate bowling of Nick Virgin (1-15 off 12 overs) and Kevin Godfrey (2-31 off 12 overs). J Rowse (57) then set about the Timberscombe bowling with some hard hitting to complete a fine all round performance with bat and ball. Wickets fell steadily at the other end as Vince Scott kept his head against Rowse's onslaught, with the last wicket falling in the last over.

Timberscombe: 176-5 (I Goodrum 89, G Thorpe 41, J Rowse 2-15.

Wyvern Saints: 152 (J Rowse 57, V Scott 3-42).

Points: Wyvern Saints 7 Timberscombe 26.

Division Two

Bridgetown v

Stogumber

IN a game of fluctuations at Bridgetown on Saturday Stogumber were victorious by 46 runs, completing the double in the process.

Invited to bat first, Stogumber got off to an excellent start through Stuart Thorne (47) and Les Biffen (26) who were parted in the 19th over after putting on 90. Stogumber then lost four wickets for only 16 runs as the scoring rate dropped drastically, due mainly to the guile of the experienced campaigner Dougie Sherring (4-45), and only Dave Sully (29) showed serious resistance as the visitors closed on a disappointing 157-9.

Bridgetown lost a couple of early wickets through Tim Auton managing to claim two played ons but with G Howard going well Bridgetown were always in with a shout. Wickets fell gradually but the partnership being built by Howard and Bob Matravers started looking promising but then an unnecessary run out saw Howard dismissed for 47 and Bridgetown's remaining wickets including two more run outs, fell quickly and they were all out for 111, just as rain started to fall.

Stogumber: 157-9 (S Thorne 47, D Sully 29, L Biffen 26, D Sherring 4-45, W Ladds 3-25).

Bridgetown: 111 (G Howard 47, B Matravers 47, T Auton 3-27, S Thorne 2-31).

Points: Bridgetown 7 Stogumber 26.

Carhampton v

Ashbrittle

CARHAMPTON won their first game of the season when they defeated Ashbrittle on Saturday, but only just. Ashbrittle's last wicket fell with four balls remaining of the last over with the visitors requiring just four to win.

Invited to bat Carhampton relied heavily on the knocks of Chris Milton (65) and Mat Lovell (40) as Carhampton reached 162. A Hill and M Norris claimed three wickets each.

Ashbrittle also found runs difficult to come by, except Ian Hogget who hit a fine 64. Good fielding kept the visitors' scoring rate down but when the last over started the game could have gone either way but Lovell struck to secure his fourth wicket and his side's first win.

Carhampton: 162 (C Milton 65, M Lovell 40, A Hill 3-21, M Norris 3-49).

Ashbrittle: 159 (I Hoggart 64, M Lovell 4-44, J Tidboald 3-53).

Points: Carhampton 26 Ashbrittle 10.

Exford v Cannington

ON a wet afternoon home side Exford easily beat Cannington by 80 runs on Saturday.

Put into bat, Exford had lost half their wickets in reaching 85 with only K Atkins (27) coping with the bowling. M Sherring (34) and M Long (30) then put on a stand so that things looked more promising for the home side on 120-8. Then a ninth wicket stand of 58 between J Brock and J Winzer lifted the final score to 178-8, with 21 coming off the last over. Green and Stevenson took 3 wickets apiece.

Cannington's reply was muted from the start with M Sherring picking up early wickets and at 20 overs they were in trouble at 47-6. J Bryant (38) tried to lift the scoring but the visitors couldn't hold out and they were all out for 80 with G Philpotts taking the last two wickets for three runs.

Exford: 189-8 (M Sherring 34, M Long 30, K Atkins 27, J Brock 24 no, J Winzer 20 no, Green 3-45, Stevenson 3-59, Anderson 2-42).

Cannington: 98 (J Bryant 38, M Sherring 3-17, P Skinner 2-25, G Philpotts 2-3).

Points: Exford 26 Cannington 6.

Division Three

Lydeard St Lawrence

v Morebath

MOREBATH did the double over Lydeard St Lawrence with this comprehensive 66 run victory.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat Morebath had an early setback when Phil Venn got hit on the arm by a low full toss and had to retire hurt, taking no further part in the game. The rest of the batsmen all helped the score along but no one went on to make a big score with Andy Foxford top score with 37. All the Lydeard bowlers took punishment.

In reply Lydeard had 29 on the board within five overs but then Pat Hyde found some life in the wicket and ripped out three of the top four batsmen, backed up by Andy Foxford. With Brian Boundy and Steve Fisher coming on and bowling a tight line and length the home batsmen found scoring runs very hard with only R Moore's lusty hitting proving any resistance.

Morebath: 186-7 (A Foxford 37, S Kelland 28, S Power 2-31, W Venton 2-46, T Moore 2-53).

Lydeard St Lawrence: 123 (R Moore 23, B Boundy 4-23, P Hyde 3-32, A Foxford 2-20).

Points: Lydeard St Lawrence 6 Morebath 26.

Allerford v Casuals

LEAGUE leaders Allerford had no problems in gaining maximum points at home on Saturday when they defeated Casuals by 10 wickets.

Casuals batted first and P Woolden top scored for them with 30 in their poor total of 89. The Allerford bowlers were always on top and the wickets were evenly shared.

Allerford's openers L Taylor (63no) and S Howard had no trouble in knocking off the required runs to seal an emphatic win.

Casuals: 89 (P Woolden 30, L Marshall 20, T Buswell 15, M Gunn 3-13, P Cutherbertson 2-22, P Matravers 2-23).

Allerford: 90 (L Taylor 63 no, S Howard 19 no).

Points: Allerford 26 Casuals 1).

Division Four

Brompton Ralph II v Knapp

THERE were just four balls remaining when Brompton Ralph hit the winning runs at home to Knapp on Saturday.

Knapp batted steadily down the order when invited to bat, with J Wadham top scoring with 51 and M Wood reaching the thirties.

The wickets were shared with three Brompton bowlers taking two wickets apiece.

Brompton also batted well down the order as D Ellis top scored with 46, receiving good support from A Milton. M Skene bowled well for his 3-36 but Brompton just did enough to win.

Knapp: 176-8 (J Wadham 51, M Wood 32, R McKenna 18, A Coles 14, D Summerside 2-6, R Disney 2-18, R Norman 2-42).

Brompton Ralph: 180-6 (D Ellis 46, A Milton 29, N Dickens 20, M Pollock 15, M Skene 3-36).

Dulverton v

Bishops Hull II

DULVERTON recorded a comprehensive 170-run win over Bishops Hull II.

They batted first and amassed a formidable total of 251-6.

Opener D Boyce began the run charge with 93 and the momentum was maintained with a quickfire unbeaten 90 from M Drewer.

In reply, Bishops Hull were quickly skittled out for 81 with A Smith taking three wickets to wrap up the innings.

Dulverton: 251-6 (D Boyce 93, M Drewer 90no).

Bishops Hull II: 81 (A Smith 3-11).

Points: Dulverton 26 Bishops Hull II 4.

Division Five

Pitminster v

Brompton Ralph III

THEY don't come much closer than the game between Pitminster and Brompton Ralph II on Saturday as both teams hit the same number of runs, Brompton just coming out one point better off as they never lost as many wickets.

The decision by the home captain to put Brompton in looked to be the correct decision when after 14 overs the visitors were on 34-5. But Dan Gray (61 no) and Andrew Dickens then put on 43 for the seventh wicket and Brompton clawed their way to 121-8 at the close of their innings. D Sealey was the pick of the home bowlers taking 4-32.

Pitminster started slowly and were only on 38 after 21 overs and with four overs remaining D Parsons (38) had lifted them to a position where they only needed four runs to win but their last pair was at the wicket. They managed to hit three runs but in attempting to get the winning run their last man was run out. Chris Fitt bowled well for his 4-22.

Brompton Ralph: 121-8 (D Gray 61 no, D Sealey 4-32).

Pitminster: 121 (D Parsons 38, C Stancer 15, C Fitt 4-22, C Welch 3-38).

Points: Pitminster 15 Brompton Ralph III 16.

Timberscombe II v Taunton Cavaliers

A GOOD all round performance saw Timberscombe II win by 85 runs at home to Taunton Cavaliers on Saturday.

Batting first Timberscombe lost an early wicket and tight bowling kept the score to eight off the first seven overs. Royston Ball had joined Bruce Lang in laying a solid foundation to the innings and had taken the score to 37 before he lost his bearings and was stumped for 19. Chris Stonier joined Lang and was initially circumspect, the total being only 45 after 20 overs, but then the partnership blossomed, eventually adding 95 before Stonier was caught for 49. Another quick wicket fell leaving Keith Storey to join Lang for the final assault as they put on 58 in the last six overs with Lang carrying his bat with 77 no.

Opening bowlers Dave Chilcott and Chris Stonier destroyed the Cavaliers' reply by reducing the visitors to 31-6. C Mogg and B Hunt led a spirited response with a partnership of 62, but once they were parted the end came quickly as Cavaliers were bowled out for 106 just before the rain set in. Chilcott and Stonier finishing with four wickets apiece.

Timberscombe: 191-4 (B Lang 77 no, C Stonier 49, R Ball 19, K Storey 17 no, C Mogg 2-32, J Ponte 2-46).

Taunton Cavaliers: 106 (B Hunt 30, C Mogg 30, C Stonier 4-27, D Chilcott 4-32).

Points: Timberscombe II 26 Taunton Cavaliers 4.

Knockout Cup

Exford v Brompton Ralph

BROMPTON Ralph reached the final of the KO Cup when they comfortably beat Exford by 8 wickets at Exford on Tuesday.

Exford batted first and reached 99-5 in their 18 overs with A Webster top scoring with 35. P Power was the pick of the Brompton bowlers finishing with 3-16.

Brompton had little trouble in reaching the required total, losing only two wickets in the process. N Hill top scored with 32 no, with good support from P Poole and J Lee.

Brompton now go on to meet Timberscombe in the final to be played at Stogumber on Monday, July 17.

Exford: 99-5 (A Webster 35, P Power 3-16).

Brompton Ralph: 100-2 (N Hill 32 no, P Poole 28, J Lee 21 no, M Long 2-28).