HEMYOCK stay top of the third division in the West Somerset Cricket League despite suffering a four-wicket loss to Cannington who maintained their bid for promotion.

The Devon side, who won the toss and decided to bat first, were bowled out for 201 with only one ball remaining. Openers Jalal Ahmed (51) and Louis Allen (23) got them off to a flying start, while Adam May hit 40, Shish Kumar 28 and Mark Slater 21.

Hugh Ogle finished with figures of 4-42, while Robert Marcus Coombes took 3-22, and Sibin Abraham 2-59.

Cannington also got off to a bright start with openers Ogle hitting 48 and Christian Cullam 24, while Adam Caswell made 59 and William King 45. However, they lost three cheap wickets before finally reaching their target with an over to spare. Cannington’s wickets were shared by five bowlers.

Minehead 3rd XI moved into fourth place after beating Taunton side Bishops Hull 2nd XI by seven wickets.

Batting first Bishops Hull were all out for 145 in 35.4 overs with Ed Hallas scoring 24 and Adrian Lock 25. Jithin Rajan took 4-28, Ben Cobb 2-11 and Reuben Rajan 2-16.

Opener James Griffiths steered Minehead to a comfortable victory with more than 11 overs to spare. Fellow opener Cobb scored 35 and Henry Murrell 20. Archie Billings took 2-54 in his eight overs.

Unfortunately, Stoodleigh conceded their game against Carhampton who were awarded 35 points and moved up to sixth in the table.

Hemyock will be looking to bounce back after their defeat by Cannington when they play at home to Ashbrittle’s 2nd XI on Saturday, August 9, while second-placed Cutcombe will be chasing their seventh win of the season when entertaining Bishops Hull.

Third division fixtures: Carhampton v Minehead, Cutcombe v Bishops Hull, Hemyock v Ashbrittle, Stoodleigh v Cannington.