MINEHEAD Third XI continued their winning ways at the top of Division Three in the West Somerset Cricket League and on Saturday they notched up their 11th success of the season with an eight-wicket victory at Over Stowey.

The home side won the toss and found themselves 14 for 3 before opener Steve Easden was joined by Lewis Bond. The pair batted patiently and between them the fourth wicket partnership was worth 19 when Easden was out for nine which he scored from 41 balls.

Bond remained to see the total onto 46 when he was the sixth wicket to fall, having made 13 from 31 deliveries. Two further wickets tumbled on the same score before Stowey were all out for 57 in 25.2 overs.

For the visitors Adithyan Rajan took 3 wickets for 4 runs off 2 overs, one of which was a maiden, Sreejith Anilkumar took 3 for 14 from 7.2 overs while Reuben Rajan claimed 3 for 8 in five overs, two of which were maidens.

When Minehead Thirds replied they reached 52 for the loss of two wickets in eight overs, skipper Steve Archer making 18 and Henry Murrell an unbeaten 29

In Division Three of the Somerset Cricket League, Minehead Seconds played against Chard Seconds who, after winning the toss and choosing to bat firstposted 266 for 6 from their 40 overs.

Rob Spiers claimed the wicket of Dan Parsons with just one run on the board; however the fielding side had a long wait before they enjoyed any further success.

A partnership of 175 for the second wicket between opener Jon Scott who hit 80 off 92 balls with 12 fours and Andrew Clancy who made 76 from 98 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes then put Chard into a strong position. Both fell in quick succession to Sam Cobb after which Liam Cleal hit 38 and Joe Draper an unbeaten 27.

Sam Cobb ended with two wickets for 40, while Spiers took one for 14 from 8 overs, two of which were maidens.

When the Pirates replied they lost Dan Pawson for 5 before Jonah Hopkins was joined by Brandon Rawle, who added 31 together before the latter was out for 14.

Hopkins remained out in the middle while two further wickets fell before he was joined by Gregg Howard who between them saw up the three figures shortly after which the opener was out for 44 off 48 balls.

Howard and Ali Ahern then added 34 for the sixth wicket when Howard was out for 34.

Ahern added 25 for the eighth wicket with Logan Harrison before he was out for 42 from 46 deliveries which made Minehead 164 for 8, shortly after which the West Somerset side were all out for 171 in 35.1 overs, Chard winning by 95 runs.

This weekend Minehead Firsts are on the road at Castle Cary, Minehead Seconds are at home to Frome Seconds, while Minehead Thirds entertain Fitzhead Seconds.

Meanwhile, Minehead’s Gary Bennett, playing for Somerset in the Over 50s Cup Knockout round of 16 last weekend on his home ground, scored 86 off 40 balls with 15 fours and two 6s to help his side post 290 for 4 from their 45 overs against Cornwall.

In reply the visitors were bowled out for 90, giving Somerset victory by 200 runs.