Somerset Cricket League Division Seven

Burnham II 173-3 lost to Crewkerne 258-4 by 85 runs

BURNHAM II were comfortably beaten by Crewkerne in a game dominated by batsmen.

Crewkerne won the toss, and eager to take advantage of an excellent wicket, elected to bat.

Burnham's opening bowlers, Sharu Shannugam and Liam Smith suffered mixed fortunes, with Smith bowling economically whilst Shannugam was less accurate and was frequently despatched to the boundary.

With 10 overs remaining, the visitors were 164 for 1, and were therefore able to throw caution to the wind and rapidly increase the scoring rate.

Though J Gould and C Gould fell in quick succession, success for Burnham was to be short-lived as Rowswell despatched Burnham's bowling to all parts - hitting five successive boundaries to finish on 40 not out off 12 balls.

Crewkerne's innings closed on 258 for 4 - 43 runs had been scored in the final two overs alone.

Faced with a huge target, Burnham initially started promisingly with Ashfold timing the ball well during the opening exchanges.

However, in the space of five overs the game was effectively decided.

First, Pete Gaylard mistimed an aerial stroke and was caught off the bowling of Rowswell and this setback was quickly followed by the dismissals of Dave Worthington and Shannugam.

From then on, damage limitation was the objective for Burnham, with Ashfold batting cautiously to nullify Crewkerne's bowling threat, averting a potential collapse.

Burnham needed 154 off their last ten overs as Ashfold reached a hard-earned half-century, off 130 balls, in the 39th over.

With the game all but lost, the lack of pressure seemed to allow Coles to bat without inhibitions as he exhibited some flamboyant strokeplay as whilst hitting a career-best 83 not out.