MINEHEAD First XI suffered an emphatic ten-wicket home defeat against highflyers Butleigh in the Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League last Saturday, with the visitors ruthlessly chasing down a target of 240 in just 36.2 overs without losing a wicket.

Having been inserted after Butleigh won the toss, Minehead's innings was built on a gritty half-century by opener Andrew Stevens, who top-scored with 61 off 80 balls (10 fours). Contributions came throughout the middle order, with Freddie Wilson adding a quickfire 37 off 29 balls, Chris James contributing 30, Alfie Rucklidge scoring 28 off 20 balls, and Oliver Groves chipping in with 26.

However, Butleigh’s attack contained the run rate effectively and kept taking key wickets. Alex Thorne was the standout bowler, taking 3-26 off 4.3 overs alongside a run-out, while Sam Bilsborough picked up 2-39 off his 9 overs. Wayne Spencer (1-32), Tim Lamb (1-42), and Harvey Hicks (1-17) each took a wicket, with sharp fielding resulting in two run-outs to dismiss Minehead for 239.

The target of 240 proved no obstacle for Butleigh’s opening pair, who dismantled the Minehead bowling attack without losing a single wicket. Wayne Spencer capped off an all-round performance with an unbeaten 127 off 101 balls, featuring 17 boundaries and a six.

At the other end, Robert Milligan anchored the chase superbly with 107 not out off 117 balls (14 fours, 2 sixes). Minehead rotated through nine different bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but Harry Tudball (0-23 off 6) and Dan Bowditch (0-49 off 9) were the only ones able to keep the scoring somewhat under control as Butleigh knocked off the runs in the 37th over.

The loss means Minehead took only ten points from the match and will finish in the mid-table after a season of mixed results. They travel to already relegated Taunton St Andrews on Saturday in the final game of the season, hoping to finish on a high.

Meanwhile, Butleigh’s victory - their eighth of the season - means they are only 16 points behind the leaders Taunton Deane 2nd XI who won in style, beating local rivals Taunton St Andrews by seven wickets.

Lympsham and Belvedere won their tenth match of the summer by beating Castle Cary by seven wickets away.

Results: Bridgwater 3rd XI 241-8 (35), Wembdon 2nd XI 240 (18); Castle Cary 225-9 (13), Lympsham & Belvedere 228-3 (34); Minehead 239 (10), Butleigh 240-0 (35); Shapwick & Polden 303-6 (35), North Petherton 173 (14); Taunton Deane 3rd XI 256-3 (33), Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI 255-8 (13).

The big match in the division this coming weekend is the top of the table clash between Butleigh and Taunton Deane 2nd XI with the championship at stake after a long, hot summer.

The Deane will be chasing their 12th win of the season while Butleigh will be looking for victory number nine.

Lympsham and Belvedere, who are in third spot 31 points behind the Deane, play at home to Bridgwater 3rd XI who are second from bottom and in danger of being relegated along with Taunton St Andrews.

Fixtures for Saturday, August 29: Butleigh v Taunton Deane 2nd XI, Lympsham & Belvedere v Bridgwater 3rd XI, North Petherton v Castle Cary, Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI v Minehead, Wembdon 2nd XI v Shapwick & Polden.