BURNHAM opened their Somerset League Division 3 campaign with a solid victory over Wells on Saturday.

Batting first, openers P. Harris (67) and D. Worthington (42) set a platform for a big score.

Third man in Rob Driver then set about the Wells bowling, hitting an unbeaten 61.

Wickets fell in the chase for runs and W. Dyson added a useful 17 to see Burnham to a closing score of 233-6.

Wells' reply faltered early on as they lost two quick wickets.

J. Moore steadied the ship, however, with a fine 62.

Stacey (25), Cooper (23) and Dredge (23) kept the scoreboard ticking over but they lost wickets at regular intervals, reaching only 170.

W. Dyson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-26 off nine overs.

J. Harding also took three, with M. Green and R. Driver claiming the others.

Lympsham, minus the talented Jack Luff (playing for West of England Premier Bridgwater), suffered a 62-run defeat against Huish & Langport.

Huish reached 240-3 with opener M. Skeet hitting an unbeaten 105 and T. Hawkins 67.

D. Berry, S. Bailey and L. Morris had slim pickings, taking a wicket apiece.

Lympsham's reply began well, with openers D. Luff (33) and R. Ford (30) giving them a chance.

T. Gooding added 25 and S. Bailey 22 but it was never enough to win the match.

S. Hennessey was the top bowler, taking 4-30.

In Division 5, Huntspill & District played out a remarkable draw.

They set a target of 203-9 with D. Tippetts top-scoring with 32 and S. Lillycrop (26), C. Nayagam (23), M. Counsell (20) and tailender B. Durkin (27) keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

It was nip-and-tuck all the way in the reply as opener T. Brooks hit a fine half-century and K. Crout 41 to give their side a chance.

However, as the target drew nearer, M. Counsell (3-22), D. Counsell (2-39) and T. Garner (2-26) held their nerve to take the final wicket in the nick of time.

Wedmore were always a few runs short in their Division 6 match against Crewkerne.

Batting first, they had S. Morris (42), R. McArthur (34) and I. Harris (33) in fine form but could only reach 161-8 when the overs ran out.

Wedmore's bowlers made early inroads into Crewkerne's reply but an unbeaten 60 from C. Gould and a half-century from L. Rogers saw them home with five wickets to spare.

Burnham 2nds scraped home in a fine Division 7N match against Evercreech.

Batting first, they had C. Baker (45) and a late flurry of runs from D. Aston (59) and B. Adams (23) to thank for reaching a total of 181.

Evercreech looked probable winners early on as A. White hit 61, G. White 32 and R. White 20.

But Burnham's bowlers hit back led by R. Bucksey (4-39), A. Birkett (2-13) and D. Aston (2-37) and the last wicket fell with Evercreech needing just three for victory.

Mark's batting collapsed to 102 all out, despite T. Lewis hitting 38 and S. Tinklin 42 from the middle order.

A. Barr did the damage, taking 4-15 off four overs.

Victory was assured by openers Barr (46no) and L. Darlington (22), with S. Tinklin taking 2-27 as a consolation.

East Huntspill lost a close match against Temple Cloud by two wickets.

N. Harding hit 72 and K. Butt 29 as East closed on 179-7.

Temple Cloud's victory was based on half-centuries from Comer (65) and R. Appleyard (63), despite H. Dare taking 3-42 and I. Cooke 2-17.

In Division 8N, Lympsham 2nds provided little resistance for Kilmington & Stourton 2nds, who ran out winners by six wickets.

A. Russ (30) and C. Butler (28) were the main contributors to a poor display which saw Lympsham reach only 94.

Kilmington coasted home, with S. Bruce (2-24) being the pick of Lympsham's bowlers.

Wedmore 2nds were bowled out for 99 as Bridgwater Sports lost just one wicket in reply.

M. Hunt (38) and J. Gamlin (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures, while B. Winter (46no) and A. Knight (27no) sealed Lympsham's fate.

Huntspill & District 2nds picked up 35 points by default as Shapwick & Polden 4ths failed to field a side.