Somerset Cricket League Division Two

North Newton 133-8 beat Burnham 77 by 56 runs

BURNHAM continued their miserable start to the season with a 56-run defeat against North Newton on Saturday.

Having restricted North Newton to just 133-8 from their 45 overs, thanks to two wickets apiece from Rich Driver (2-42), Brian Brogden (2-30) and James Annison (2-36) – Burnham slumped to just 77 all out, with only two players reaching double figures.

The result leaves Burnham rock bottom of the table and without a win – although three of their five games have fallen afoul of the weather.

North Newton started in positive fashion, with Barrington (23), Jenkins (39) and Stone (22) all making starts.

Martyn Green (1-21) made an early breakthrough, before Driver, Brogden and Annision worked their way through the middle order, which in turn slowed the run rate to a pedestrian pace, albeit on a difficult wicket.

Peter Jenkins (12) made the only noticeable contribution down the order, but North Newton finished up on a mediocre total of 133-8, leaving Burnham needing less than three runs per over to win.

But it wasn’t to be, as they lost their top four batsman all for single figures, to leave them in big trouble - House (1), Bloodworth (8), Driver (1) and Harris (3) all falling cheaply.

Tipler (16) steadied the ship briefly, but he lacked any real support as the Newton attack of Jenkins (3-21), White (2-12) and Barrington (2-17) gave little away.

Smith made 13 before becoming Jenkins second wicket of the afternoon – and when Brogden fell to the same bowler, Burnham had been bowled out for just 77.