MINEHEAD 2nd XI gained a big 183-run home victory over neighbours Wiveliscombe in the third division of the Somerset Cricket League.

It was only their second win of the season and they have moved out of the relegation zone, now occupied by Frome 2nd XI and Taunton Deane 3rd XI, while Wiveliscombe are sixth.

Put into bat first, Minehead piled up 295-6 in their 40 overs with Jonah Hopkins top scoring with 68 from 43 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes. Nicholas Maggs knocked 65 not out, Braden Taylor 45 and Greg Howard 44. Wiveliscombe’s bowlers toiled in the sun with Richard Morrison returning figures of 3-57, while Edward Stephens, Sam Milsom and Lewis Clark all picked up a wicket.

After a bright start, Wiveliscombe started losing wickets on a regular basis with only Neal Gliddon (25) and Stuart Denyer (27) able to make an impact against the bowling of Braden Taylor (4-34) and Logan Harrison (3-11). Wivey were eventually bowled out for 112 in 23-4 overs.

North Curry top the division. They have a 21-point lead over second-placed Shaftsbury Road after they gained a thumping 126-run home success against Street.

Shaftsbury Road suffered their first loss of the season when they went down by 75 runs at home to Chard 2nd XI who scored 237-7 and then bowled out their rivals for 162. It enabled Chard to stay third in the table, only 16 points behind Shaftsbury Road.

In other games in the division, Bishops Hull scored 378 for the loss of only three wickets at home to Frome with Josh Chanter hitting 204 not out, with 19 fours and 13 sixes while Middlezoy won by three wickets away to Taunton Deane 3rd XI (scores: Taunton Deane 212, Middlezoy 216-7).