THE final of the West Somerset Cricket League’s KO Cup was staged at Minehead Cricket Club on Sunday afternoon in front of a large crowd which included supporters from both teams.

The game was contested by Watchet who are currently second in Division One of the West Somerset Cricket League and Stogumber who are top of the second division. Earlier in the day Stogumber Seconds had lost out to Minehead Thirds in the Plate final so their first team were keen to try and go one better.

After losing the toss Watchet, who won the league title last season, found themselves batting first. Openers Ryan Strong and Watchet captain Alistair Harrison led the way and took the score onto 26 when Yaw accounted for the latter for 10.

Harrison and Luke Jenks saw Watchet onto 49 runs before Jenks was bowled by Nick Bennett for 14. The Watchet skipper and Ben Robinson then came together and shared a crucial partnership of 43 to take the total onto 92 when Harrison was out for 56 which included six 4s and one six.

Nick Bennett then claimed the wicket of Eben Harding for 12, after which Robinson was joined by Connor Jeromson and between them the pair shared a sixth wicket partnership of 25, before Robinson was run out for 40. Watchet eventually posted 151 for six from their 20 overs.

Pick of the bowlers for Stogumber was Nick Bennett who ended with three wickets for 31 from his 5 overs.

When Stogumber replied their innings got off to the worst possible of starts as Nick Bennett was caught by Harrison off Ben Robinson with the total on five. Eli Hayes came to the wicket and was run out with the score on six.

Stogumber then suffered a further setback when skipper Dan Godfrey was leg before wicket to Ben Robinson for six, which made the score nine for three.

Felix Bennett came in and made 13 and when Richings was joined by Nick Bennett the scoreboard read 35 for 5, which then became 48 for six when Bennett was caught by keeper Paul Sparks off Callum Knight.

Peter Horton came to the crease and along with Richings added 29 to take Stogumber to 77 for 7. Two further wickets tumbled before Penny and Yaw came together and stayed out in the middle until the overs had run out.

However despite their valiant unbroken last wicket stand of 20, of which Penny remained unbeaten on 10 and Yaw 4 not out Stogumber could only reach 105 for 9 from their allotted overs.

Ben Robinson was the pick of the Watchet attack taking 3 for 20 from his 5 overs while Callum Knight ended with 2 for 23 from three.

Watchet were the deserved winners of the West Somerset Cricket League Cup by 46 runs.

This coming weekend both sides return to WSCL action. Second place Watchet host top of the table Ashbrittle hoping for a victory to reduce their current lead of 55 points. However, the chamionship trophy is already in the hands of Ashbrittle who finished runners-up last season.

In Division Two Stogumber will be looking for another victory to boost their promotion drive when they are at home to Cutcombe.