Ilminster CC 2nd XI 178 / All out (41.4) def. Burnham-on-Sea CC 1st XI 135 / All out (38.1)

BURNHAM-on-Sea Cricket Club were beaten by 43 runs in their match away from home against Ilminster Seconds at the weekend.

It was a difficult match for Burnham who now sit in fifth place in the Somerset Cricket Leagues Division One.

After winning the toss, Burnham chose to field first and sent in the Ilminster side to bat.

Openers Michael McNee and Riley Millett set the tone for the innings as they scored 31 and 33 runs respectively.

Howver, Burnham bowler Josh Langer dismissed the pair in quick succession and the hosts were 79 for 2.

There was a slight collapse in the middle order for Ilminster as Langer picked up another wicket.

Ilminster were 84 for 5 and struggling, however a sturdy knock from George Musgrave (15) and Francis Caswell (17) steadied the ship enough for Ilminster to set a respectable target.

Craig Rice finished the innings on 18 not out as the hosts made 178 in 41.4 overs.

Matt Denham took three wickets for Burnham in the innings, as did Josh Langer, who had the best figures with three wickets for 31 runs in 9 overs.

In reply, Burnham made a very strong start as well, as openers Bradley House and Fred Berry made 24 and 39 runs respectively.

They were flying towards the target however Cal Rice had other plans. The first wicket fell to Rice's bowling and Burnham were 72 for 1. However before long they were 74 for 3.

Wesley Kruger and Peter Harris both added 16 runs each in the middle of the order.

Despite that, the bowling of Cal Rice and Ryan Sims kept causing Burnham issues and the wickets kept falling.

The lower order all fell rather cheaply and Burnham ended the innings 43 runs short of the target as they were all out for 135 runs in the 39th over.

Ryan Sims took four wickets for Ilminster in the match, for loss of just 12 runs in his 4.1 over spell.

However, Cal Rice took an amazing six wickets in his nine over spell, for the loss of just 11 runs. An unreal effort.

The defeat was tough to take for Burnham, and is there second in a row in the league.

However in the Somerset Intermediate Knockout Cup, Burnham knocked out local rivals Weston-super-Mare CC in a 12 run win.

Up next for Burnham in the league is a home match against Wells & Horrington CC on Saturday, June 17.