Inept Burnham crash to defeat

1:38pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

BURNHAM'S poor season in Somerset League Division Two continued on Saturday when they lost by 129 runs against Peasedown St John.

A succession of misfields and dropped catches allowed their opponents too many chances and they too easily ran up 239-7 - by far the highest total of the season.

This was followed by an inept batting performance which saw them all out for 110, including 22 extras.

Asked to bat first, openers Sil and R. Crocker had 52 on the board from the first 13 overs.

Here was the one moment when Burnham were on top as three wickets fell in three overs.

Crocker, bowled for 18, Sil, caught by the diving Bloodworth in the gulley for 33, and Gay (0) were all dismissed and the hosts were 57-3.

The score advanced to 83 in the 19th over when Pete Harris took two wickets in his sixth over, G. Crocker for six and Howells for a duck.

Now came the two stands that swung the game away from Burnham as Warsinski and Martin cut loose, but they really were helped in the field.

They added 59 before Martin (23) was bowled by Stuart Green.

This brought Everton Griffiths to the wicket and the onslaught continued.

Warsinski hit the ball at will and was racing to his century when he fell for 92, including 12 fours, in the final over.

Griffiths kept up the pace, scoring 39 not out with three sixes and three fours.

Jim Birkett and Pete Harris took three wickets and Green one.

Brian Brogden ended wicketless but only because more intensive catching practice is needed.

Daunted by such a target, the batsmen never got started as they slumped to 15-4.

Bloodworth (0) and Sam Walker, first ball, were dismissed in the second over, soon followed by Rob Wheatley (10), who hit two boundaries, and Jim Birkett (0).

Pete Harris (17) and debutant Jamie Gass (17) brought some stability but once they went, Brogden, Baunton and Andy Birkett soon followed. The only bright spark was Dave Steer (31), who opened the innings and was the ninth wicket to fall at 105.

It is to be hoped this was a one-off performance, but Burnham are on a losing streak.

Burnham hope for an improved performance at home to high-flying North Petherton on Saturday - their first league visit to the BASC Ground.