WIVELISCOMBE find themselves struggling near the bottom of Division Three in the Somerset Cricket League after their latest loss - a 143-run defeat at home to Cheddar.

Cheddar, who won the toss and decided to bat first, scored 237-7 in their 40 overs with opener Scott Harris hitting 91 off 106 balls, with nine fours and one six. Jack Butler hit a quickfire 66 and Jimmy Clark scored 25.

Charlie Thorne was Wiveliscombe’s most successful bowler with 3-36, while there were wickets for Dan Onion, Johnny Farrant, Lewis Clark and James Hayward.

Wiveliscombe made a steady start but once openers Connor Ashworth and Farrant, who both scored 13, they were always on the back foot. They were eventually bowled out for 94 in 25.5 overs with Clark, Max Marshman, Gareth Humberstone and Charlie Waite all snapping up two wickets.

It was Wiveliscombe’s fourth defeat in five matches and they find themselves second from bottom, with only Chard below them.

Meanwhile, South Petherton are the early leaders of the division. They have a 15-point lead at the top of the table after they gained an 86-run home success over Chard who have yet to win a match.

Petherton scored 224-9 in their 40 overs with Adam Young top scoring with 64. In reply, the South Somerset side slumped to 136 all out with Ian Masters, Kevin Harris and Henry Clayton all taking two wickets.

Taunton Indian maintained their 100 per cent start to the season when they beat North Curry at home by 73 runs. It enabled them to move up to second in the table - and they also have a game in hand on Petherton.

Wiveliscombe find themselves without a game on Saturday, June 7. Fixtures: Chard v Spaxton, Cheddar v Street, North Curry v Minehead, Taunton Indian v South Petherton.