MINEHEAD lst XI’s final match of the season away at Taunton St Andrews was cancelled but the club’s other two senior sides both managed to avoid the rain which put paid to many other games locally.

In Division Three of the Somerset Cricket League, Minehead Seconds were at home to Taunton Deane Thirds and after being asked to bat first the Pirates wasted no time in putting runs on the board.

After losing Jonah Hopkins with the score on 48 , fellow opener Freddie Wilson and team captain Gregg Howard took full advantage of the conditions and shared an unbroken second wicket partnership of 196 before Minehead declared on 244 for 1 in the 29th over.

Wilson ended unbeaten on a career best 150, his fourth century for the club which he scored off 99 balls with 19 fours and five 6s, while Howard was not out 65 off 53 balls with 13 fours.

When Taunton Deane replied they were soon in trouble when Rob Spiers struck with the first ball of the innings and followed up with the other opener with the total on 11.

From the other end Harry Tudball accounted for Jack Monsey and Martyn Salt which made Deane 20 for 4. Braden Taylor made it 23 for 5 when he accounted for Cole Norman, before Ed Warren and James Tier put a brief halt to the fall of wickets and added 27 together before Tier was bowled by Nicholas Maggs for 22.

Warren was joined by Munsea Nhete who together added 44 before Taylor saw the back of the latter for 16 as Deane were eventually all out for 122 in 30 overs, giving the hosts victory by 122 runs. Spiers ended with 2 for 17, Tudball 2 for 12, Taylor 2 for 31 and Maggs 2 for 17.

Meanwhile in Division Three of the West Somerset Cricket League Minehead Thirds were in action against Buckland St Mary and Bishopswood who, after being asked to bat first, were quickly reduced to 24 for 5. Lucas Baker with 32 off 31 balls and then Theo Norman who ended unbeaten on 10 helped the home side to reach 77 before they were all out off 20.2 overs.

For the Pirates Sreejith Anilkumar ended with 4 wickets for 15 runs from his 7 overs, two of which were maidens, while Reuben Rajan claimed 3 for 8 off 3.2 overs, one of which was a maiden.

When Minehead replied they reached 78 without loss in just 6.3 overs, Sam Cobb ending unbeaten on 51, his best of the season, which came off 21 deliveries with 5 fours and 4 sixes, while Henry Murrell ended not out 21.

This coming Saturday Minehead Seconds end their SCL Division Three campaign with an away match against Middlezoy, while the Thirds play away against Wiveliscombe Seconds.

Minehead Firsts end their season in sixth place in the keenly contested Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League, having won half of their 18 fixtures, just 37 points behind second placed Lympsham and Belvedere, and only 58 adrift of table toppers Taunton Deane Seconds.

Meanwhile, Minehead Cricket Club will be holding their End of Season Presentation Night Dinner at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club on Friday, October 9, when the guest of honour will be Somerset captain Lewis Gregory.