MINEHEAD First XI travelled to Shapwick & Polden in the Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League where they enjoyed a victory for the first time since 2008

Shapwick opted to bat first and at 59 for 1 looked well set before two quick wickets brought the Pirates right back into the game. However a partnership of 107 threatened before Ian Buchanan struck as the scoreboard read 205-5 with 12 overs left,

Despite Jaques Luckins making 131 the hosts only managed to reach 275 for 7 from their innings.

Minehead got off to a flyer as Freddie Wilson opened his account with three towering sixes over the mid-wicket boundary in the early exchanges, and showed no signs of slowing up, as he and Buchanan raced past 50 before Buchanan was caught at extra cover for 26 in the 10th over, with the score on 74.

Wilson launched an astonishing assault on the Shapwick attack, hitting 8 sixes in total before he was caught for 95 from just 51 balls.

Shapwick’s bowling tightened up to make things difficult, but Josh Hurley and Dan Bowditch never fell behind the rate as they worked the ball into the gaps, finding the boundary at regular intervals.

Credit must go to Hurley who walked out to the crease at 74-1 in the 10th over, and stood firm until the end at 278-4 after 38.4 overs, narrowly missing out on a well deserved half-century as he finished 49* from 63 balls - as his innings anchored the run chase while rotating the strike throughout, ensuring the required run rate remained under control throughout.

The win takes Minehead up to second place in the table, only five points behind Castle Cary.

On Saturday they are on the road again, taking on 9th placed Butleigh, with a 3rd win in consecutive weeks firmly in their sights.