Somerset Cricket League Division Seven

Burnham 2nd XI 161-4 lost to Evercreech 272-4 by 111 runs

A CENTURY from Evercreech’s D. Wood condemned Burnham 2nd Xi to a heavy defeat on Saturday.

Wood made 120 for home side to fire them to a commanding 272-4 batting first, with M. Lavender (75no) also chipping in with a well compiled half-century.

In reply, Burnham fell a long way short of their target, despite an unbeaten 77 from Andy Ashfold and 51 from J. Harding.

But the pair were unable to score quick enough to take Burnham within striking range and they finished up 111 runs short.

Batting first, Evercreech made a positive start to their innings, with M. Wood (24) and A. Chinnock (37) putting together a solid opening partnership.

Darren Aston (2-58) made the breakthrough for Burnham, but this brought match-winner, Wood to the crease.

Paul Grant (1-54) got in on the act with his only wicket of the afternoon, but Wood soon began to plunder the bowling to all parts – and together with Lavender, set about putting their side in a strong position.

Wood reached his century in quick time, before eventually falling to J. Harding (1-37) – and Aston got his second wicket when he removed G. White without scoring.

But Lavender picked up where Wood had left off, to help Evercreech to an imposing total.

Needing just over six runs an over, Burnham were never really up with the rate after losing Pete Gaylard (0) to the bowling of K. Wood (1-24).

Andy Smith followed soon after for two, before Harding and Ashfold steadily rebuilt the innings.

But by now, they had fallen well behind the required run rate and the innings fizzled out to an uneventful end.