MINEHEAD First XI got back to winning ways in the Premier Division of the Somerset Cricket League on Saturday when they travelled along the A39 to North Petherton where they chalked up victory by five wickets.

The Pirates’ victory, their second from the five league games they have played so far this season, was largely thanks to a maiden six wicket haul from 18 year old Alfie Rucklidge.

Electing to bowl first at Heathfield Park the visitors got off to the ideal start when, in the fifth over, young Rucklidge had the dangerous opposing captain Tom Lott caught behind by Jonah Hopkins from a short delivery for 10 with the score on 15.

After a brief rebuild, spinner Jack Richards provided a much-needed breakthrough as he took three wickets in quick succession, including the coveted wicket of ex-pirate Jay Darrell, caught at slip for just one, which made Petherton 78 for four wickets..

Opener Carwyn Jenkins continued watchfully as his younger teammates attempted a counter-attack but the return of Rucklidge saw the back of him for a patient 40 which came off 93 balls and saw him occupy the crease for almost two hours, which made the scoreboard 122 for 6 in the 30th over.

Rucklidge then proceeded to make his way through the tail, finishing with impressive figures of 6-34 from 8.2 overs, his best to date for Minehead, and to see the home side 158 all out in the 36th over. Richards ended with 3-50 from his nine overs

In reply, openers Jonah Hopkins and Freddie Wilson punished some wayward bowling as they helped themselves to three boundaries and a maximum apiece before Wilson was caught at fine leg for 19 with the total on 55.

The introduction of spin helped to stem the flow of runs as Tom Smith and Lott looked to put the brakes on the visitor’s fast start. Smith accounted for Josh Hurley for 2 and Dan Bowditch (5) in quick succession and when Hopkins fell for a well-made 48 the visitors slipped from 92 for 3 to 92 for five which brought Pethy right back into the match.

Chris James and Darren Sherring had other ideas, however, as they first of all soaked up the pressure before accelerating towards the finish line.

Sherring, in particular, looked in fine fettle as he struck 3 fours and 4 sixes on his way to 45 not out off 39 balls and it was James who capped off a fine run chase with a maximum of his own to end 13 not out and see his side over the line to with 5 wickets and nearly 15 overs to spare. Pick of the Petherton attack was Smith who ended with three for 39 from nine overs.

The Pirates are currently lie fifth in the SCL Premier Division but sadly have no game this week due to a side disappointingly pulling out of the league.

In two weeks time Minehead make the long trip to the east of the county to play against tough opponents Frome, who sit one place above them with a point more but from one game less, where they will be looking to notch up another victory and improve upon a steady start to the season.