WATCHET hosted Purnells on Saturday, desperate for a win to help move them away from the bottom of Division Two, but despite a determined effort they lost by 23 runs.

They bowled first and were soon on the front foot as Mark Bryant removed D Redwood with the first ball of the match and followed up three balls later by dismissing skipper Brooks, also for a duck.

Gregory and L Redwood both played aggressive knocks to take the attack to the bowlers, but wickets were still falling and Purnells slumped to 82-5 with the prospect of a very much under par total.

However, Lenihan rode his luck early on with some aggressive running between the wickets, and partnerships of 49 and 66 with Rudd and Prior put Purnells in a strong position.

Watchet didn’t help their cause by putting down numerous chances, and instead of Purnells only making around 180 they finished on a daunting 240-9 from their 45 overs, Lenihan making 74 not out.

Laim Woolgrove took 3-31 and Mark Bryant 3-38).

Watchet got off to a fairly decent start in reply, reaching 47-1 off the first ten overs.

But a burst of quick wickets from Jones, Gregory and L Redwood put the hosts in some trouble at 59-4.

Matt Lovell (45) was then joined by skipper Ryan Strong (50) and they set about putting the innings back in order with a fine, chanceless partnership of 109.

That Watchet in a fairly decent spot with 73 needed off the last ten overs, but it was to be the story of the rest of the season as Purnells bowled tightly and Watchet steadily lost wickets to finish up 23 runs short on 217-9.