MINEHEAD 2nd XI kicked off the new season with a five-wicket home victory over Spaxton in Division Three of the Somerset Cricket League.

Spaxton, who opted to bat first, got off to a poor start, losing two wickets in scoring only 12 runs. However Adam Richards (35) joined Ryan Gamlin (9), and the pair put on 33 runs for the third wicket.

Ben Rich provented a mini-collapse with a knock of 46, taking the score on to 162 before he was eventually out. The home side scored 169 for nine in their 40 overs with Robert Spiers taking 3-31, Lewis Goodman 2-17, Sam Cobb 2-25, Renjeesh Krishnan 1-12 and Harry Swann 1-18.

Minehead made a good start with openers Andrew Stevens (20) and Oli Ahern (53) putting on 66 for the first wicket.

Cobb was next in and made a useful 27, but it was Goodwin (31 not out) and Krishnan (22 not out) who steered the seasiders to victory with an unbroken stand of 36 as Minehead reached their target at the end of the 34th over to collect 34 points.

John Bishop bowled eight overs, taking 2-24 while David Pople took 2-22 - also from eight overs.

North Curry were in good form, gaining a 79-run home success against Cheddar while Chard 2nd XI bowled out North Newton for 80 to win by 124 runs.

Results, Division Three: North Curry 226-9, Cheddar 151; North Newton 80, Chard 2nd XI 204-6; Spaxton 169-9, Minehead 2nd XI 170-5; Taunton Indian 266-6, Street 142; Wiveliscombe 110, South Petherton 158.

Meanwhile, Minehead 2nd XI play away to South Petherton on Saturday, May 10, while Wiveliscombe are also away - to Spaxton.

Fixtures, Division Three: Chard 2nd XI v Taunton Indian, Cheddar v North Petherton, South Petherton v Minehead 2nd XI, Spaxton v Wiveliscombe, Street v North Petherton.