Somerset Cricket League Division Seven

Burnham 2nd XI 170-8 beat Uphill Castle Cavaliers 169-6 by two wickets

THE ever-reliable Andy Ashfold put in another match-winning display for Burnham 2nd XI as they edged to a two-wicket win at Uphill Castle Cavaliers on Saturday.

Ashfold scored an unbeaten 64 to carry his side to their target of 170 with little more than two overs remaining, after a middle-order collapse had left them on the brink of defeat.

He was well supported by Pete Gaylard (30), Lee Coles and Jake Harding (both 16) as Burnham sealed an eighth win of the season to stay second in Division Seven.

Earlier, Andy Smith’s three wickets ad helped restrict Uphill to 169-6 from their 45 overs.

Smith finished with impressive figures of 3-37 from ten overs, while Darren Aston (1-18 from 12 overs), Jake Harding (1-43) and Phil Grant (1-12) chipped in with one wicket apiece.

P Kuht led the Uphill charge with 60 at the top of the order and there were further contributions from J Biggs (29) and S Tanner (20).

In reply, Burnham lost Martyn Tipler (10) early on – but Ashfold and Gaylard rebuilt the innings with a vital partnership.

Gaylard fell for 30 as Uphill began to fight their way back into the contest – and when Phil White (2), Darren Aston (0) and Lee Coles (16) departed in quick succession, the game looked to have swung back in the home side’s favour.

But Ashfold, together with G Batt (7no), held his nerve - despite three more wickets falling at the other end - to complete a nail-biting win for Burnham.

Burnham 2nd XI host Middlezoy 2nd XI on Saturday.