MISSED opportunities were again to blame as Minehead suffered a second straight defeat away at Bridgwater II.

After winning the toss and bowling, Minehead made the ideal start when Jay Darrell removed opener Liam Kitch for a golden duck in just the second over.

And when Darren Sherring had number three Tom Pople caught at mid-off for just five, the hosts were in early trouble at 13-2.

But an invaluable partnership followed as Scott Clapp and Tom Bellinger capitalised on early let-offs to build a solid platform for their side.

Clapp fell for 42 with the score nearing 80, but Bellinger (46) pushed on with the assistance of Andrew Skidmore (36) and Ed Habberfield (26) before Archie Marsh (11) and Kyran Devitt (28) in particular added the finishing flurry to leave Bridgwater on 226-8 from their rain-shortened 43 overs.

The Minehead reply started in tame fashion with scoring opportunities for Ian Buchanan and Andrew Stevens few and far between thanks to some tight bowling from openers Clapp and Higgins.

It was a change of bowling however that brought the crucial breakthrough when Ed Habberfield trapped Stevens in front for 12 and Matt Habberfield had Buchanan caught at deep mid-wicket just three overs later to leave Minehead 45-2 after a steady start.

Liam Muggeridge and Braden Taylor set about reducing the deficit with some watchful overs, but both found boundaries hard to come by as they pushed the score towards the 100 mark.

Muggeridge took the initiative after drinks with a couple boundaries through the leg side but then found the long-on fielder to depart for 23, and Taylor followed shortly after, caught for 37 after striking a straight six.

Minehead now needed more than ten runs an over from the remaining 12 overs, and the middle and lower order never gained the required momentum as some tight bowling and poor running meant they lost their last six wickets for just 25 and they fell 72 runs of the target.

Taking just six points from the game, Minehead failed to improve upon their vulnerable position in the table where they sit eighth, just ten points above bottom spot.

They face a tough visit from North Petherton tomorrow (Saturday) hoping for vast improvement as they battle to avoid relegation.