KILVE stayed top of Division Four of the Somerset County League with a seven-wicket win at home to Curry Rivel on Saturday. 

On a hot and humid afternoon, they asked Curry Rivel to take first knock and Gary Stone bowled superbly from the sea end, with seven of his nine overs maidens. He had Dawkins caught behind by Ed Martin for 13.

At the other end, Clemenson bowled his nine overs for just 29 without getting a wicket.

Penwell replaced Stone and bowled beautifully, dismissing the dangerous M Tilley for 25, P Tilley for 13 and then Higginson, caught by Sam James.

Sam James replaced Clemenson and looked impressive, and keeper Ed Martin, who came up to the stumps despite James’s pac, immediately stumped Irving for a duck.

Grasley was run out on the last ball of the Curry Rivel innings, leaving Kilve with a modest target of 132 for victory.

After tea, Andrew Martin and Cris Taylor took the attack to the opening bowlers, both batsmen hitting the boundary, with one huge straight six from Martin.

Neither looked in any sort of trouble until Taylor was run out for 13 by a direct hit.

Ed Martin joined his son at the crease but Andrew was soon caught at mid-on for 21, and Girling then played some nice shots before being caught at mid-off for 14.

His was the last wicket to fall as skipper Chris James came in to join Ed and see the side to victory, James making 27 not out and Martin 36 not out.