MINEHEAD First XI travelled to Butleigh CC on Saturday in their first fixture against this opposition since 2005.

The last trip saw Minehead come away with a 36 run win, thanks to half-centuries from veterans Andrew Stevens and Stuart Tudball, before Ross Hartgen ripped through the Butleigh middle order with a five-wicket haul. A repeat performance from Minehead 21 years on, was fully on the agenda - however, things could not have worked out worse .

Minehead skipper Dan Bowditch won the toss and chose to bowl first on a soft looking wicket, and when Alfie Rucklidge struck with the score on 13 thanks, to a catch from Harry Swann, it looked to be the right call.

However, the home side recovered from the early setback, racing towards 100 with no further alarm as Wayne Spencer reached a fluent half century.

Bowditch made the breakthrough, before Ellis Taylor joined the party with two wickets in two balls, as the scoreboard read 140-4, with 20 overs remaining.

Spencer continued his assault though, and brought up a fantastic well-deserved century after a series of drives and cuts through the offside, and a big score looked ominous for the home side. Rucklidge was reintroduced and made an instant impact, as Ellis Taylor made no mistake under a high ball at cover to see off the dangerous Spencer for 105, but the scoring rate continued to rise for Butleigh as the lower order began to fire.

The highlight of Minehead’s bowling innings was seeing debutant Connor Paterson take his first wicket for the 1st XI after a stellar season in the 2nd and 3rd XIs this year, Ellis Taylor took a third wicket to add to his catch, but the innings was all about Butleigh as they racked up an imposing 321-7 from 45 overs.

Confidence of a third 250+ run chase in as many weeks was high for Minehead, as the batting unit have been firing all season. But in reply they were off to the worst possible start as Buchanan skied his 4th ball to mid-off without scoring. Freddie Wilson and Josh Hurley continued their good form this season as the former tucked into some early boundaries, but when he holed out to long-off for a quick fire 23, Minehead were in trouble at 32-2.

Bowditch and Hurley kept the board ticking over for Minehead, passing 50 in the process before Bowditch nailed a drive to cover and was well held with a sharp catch for 15.

From here on, things went downhill quickly as Hurley (23), Taylor (14), Stevens (5), (James 12), Paterson (4), Rucklidge (0) and finally Harry Tudball (1) were all dismissed in quick succession, seeing Minehead dismissed for a very disappointing 130. Harry Swann walked off not out for 14, his highest score for the 1st XI, being the only highlight in an otherwise disappointing batting display.

The Pirates will look to bounce back at home this weekend as they take on struggling Taunton St. Andrews, who currently sit bottom of the table, having failed to win any of their opening eight games.

An exciting day of entertainment is on the cards with cricket underway at 1pm, with live music from local band Evolution playing from 7pm, before England’s World Cup fixture vs. Panama is being screened in the clubhouse. All are welcome, with the bar open from 1pm.