A TERRIFIC captain's knock from Gavin Clifton and a fine all-round performance from Ed Booth helped Burnham to an easy win over Wembdon Academy.

Batting first, Burnham suffered an early setback when Andy Ashfold (11) was bowled by Tim Bennett. However, this seemed to spur Burnham's other opener Pete Gaylard, as he made his highest score of the season in a stand of 117 with Clifton.

Clifton (93) also punished Wembdon's wayward bowling severely, striking 11 fours and 6 sixes in his 72-ball innings.

After Gaylard (44) and Clifton were dismissed a collapse ensued, with Paull claiming wickets at regular intervals. As a result, although Ed Booth (45) and James Annison (17) made useful contributions, Burnham's total of 260 was less than had seemed likely at 146 for 1 after 22 overs.

In reply, Wembdon never really attempted to chase down the target, instead opting to preserve wickets in the hope of accruing batting points. However, this tactic appeared to have failed when they slumped to 42 for 4 in the 15th over, with Jim Birkett, Annison, Cain Harding and Booth taking one wicket apiece.

Wardle (16) and Pigden (44) then frustrated Burnham's bowlers for 13 overs, threatening to deny Burnham maximum bowling points, but the former's dismissal re-opened the floodgates, and Wembdon's last 6 wickets fell for just 56 runs.

Cain Harding once again shone with the ball, and he was ably assisted by Booth and Andy Birkett, who took 3 wickets and 2 wickets respectively.