Somerset Cricket League Division 7

Burnham II 131-4 beat Taunton Deane Crusaders 130-8 by six wickets

BURNHAM II gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Taunton Deane Crusaders.

Winning the toss, Burnham captain Phil White chose to put the Crusaders in to bat.

His decision was vindicated in the tenth over when Andy Birkett claimed his first scalp, having Mynett caught by Caine Harding.

It was Caine Harding’s son, Jake, who got the next wicket thanks to a sharp catch by White at short leg.

As the visitors struggled to get the ball off the square, Burnham were able to restrict the scoring rate to the extent that when the dogged Crosland (9) fell in the 25th over only 36 runs were on the board.

Mumby and Arscott fell in quick succession, bowled by Caine and Jake Harding respectively, leaving the Crusaders on 62-6.

A recovery then ensued as Thomas and Redwood put on 58 for the seventh wicket, thanks in part to some sloppiness in the field.

Thomas was cruelly denied a half-century, trapped LBW for 49, and Caine Harding claimed his third wicket by bowling Ponte.

However, Burnham’s target of 131 to win was substantially more than they would have hoped for given their early successes.

In reply, Burnham’s opening batsmen were able to score quickly off the bowling of Harris, while Redwood proved more economical.

Andy Ashfold looked to be in particularly fine form, hitting numerous boundaries, and the 50 partnership was brought up in the 20th over.

At 75 without loss after 24 overs, Burnham looked to be cruising to victory.

However, the fall of Pete Gaylard (20) and Dave Worthington, who was bowled for a duck, put the result in doubt.

The fact that Jake Harding fell cheaply did not help Burnham, but Lee Coles, batting in his trademark aggressive style, steered Burnham to within touching distance of victory.

When he fell, for 24 off 16 balls, just seven runs were required, and Ashfold (72no) and White were able to knock off the runs without further ado.