BUCKLAND St Mary & Bishopswood missed out on a chance of boosting their title hopes in the fourth division of the West Somerset Cricket League when they lost by three wickets away to East Huntspill.

Buckland, put into bat by their opponents, scored 164 all out with Paul Every hitting a run-a-ball 78, which included 15 fours. Peter Endersby was the next highest scorer with 27, while Alfie O’Regan took 3-10 and Eddie Garrett 3-16.

Despite a shaky start - they were 18-3 early on - Huntspill knocked off the runs in 28.1 overs with C Blackpool steering them to victory with 85 not out, off only 58 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. O’Regan scored 23 and Seb Stangoni 20 while Endersby took 2-33 and Tom Stead 2-35.

Buckland still have a 22-point lead at the top of the table over second placed and title favourites Wiveliscombe who have two matches in hand and whose match against Stoke St Mary was abandoned because of rain which came on after only 12 balls had been possible with Stoke having scored 13 without loss. Both sides collected 12 points.

The only other game in Division Four between Roadwater 2nd XI and Over Stowey was also abandoned because of the bad weather. Roadwater had scored 156-7 off 29 overs before the players were finally forced off through heavy rain. J Murch scored 50 not out and A Burr 45 while H Rich took 3-23, C Woodley 2-40 and A Lock 2-30. Both sides were awarded 19 pointss.

Meanwhile, Wiveliscombe will be looking for maximum points when they play away to fifth-placed Spaxton on Saturday, September 6. Other fixtures in Division Four: Fitzhead v Over Stowey, Roadwater v Stoke St Mary.

Fixtures for September 13: Roadwater v Fitzhead, Stoke St Mary v Wiveliscombe.