FITZHEAD 2nd XI’s hopes of winning the fourth division title in the West Somerset Cricket League suffered a big setback when they lost a thrilling match against struggling East Huntspill.

Put into bat first, Fitzhead scored 163-9 in their 40 overs with Joshua Bellamy hitting 43, with nine fours. Their top-order batters all got into double figures but struggled against the bowling of Toby Pike who took 4-28, and Eddie Garrett, Katy Chinnock and Nigel Alway who all picked up a wicket.

Adam Guntripp top scored for Huntspill with 55, which included 11 fours, while Garrett hit 23 and Chinnick 21.

However, in a nail-biting finish, it was left to the last pair Alway and Nigel Ganfield to get Huntspill over the line with an unbroken stand of 12.

Spaxton gained a 36-run victory over Roadwater 2nd XI after bowling out their rivals for 160. A Whitby top scored for Roadwater with a run-a-ball 61, which included 12 fours while Gould knocked 29 and P Cole 22. J Merrick took 3-19 and M Jones 3-14.

Earlier Spaxton had scored 216-6 in their 40 overs with P Ching hitting 54, T Clarke 38 and M Jones 33 not out. Whitley took 4-31, while there was a wicket apiece for Gould and S Chinn.

Wiveliscombe 2nd XI were awarded the points after Over Stowey called off their game because they could not complete the fixture. It enabled Wiveliscombe to stay in third place, only four points behind Fitzhead.

Meanwhile, Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood will be looking to maintain their title bid when they play at home to Wiveliscombe on Saturday, August 9, while Fitzhead travel to play Over Stowey.

Division Four fixtures: Buckland St Mary & Bishopswood v Wiveliscombe, East Huntspill v Spaxton, Over Stowey v Fitzhead, Stoke St Mary v Roadwater.