A HALF-century from Andy Ashfold wasn’t enough for Burnham 2nd XI as they suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Chard A on Saturday.

Ashfold scored 67 in Burnham’s total of 167 all out, while Pete Gaylard (17), M Tipler (19) and A Smith (15) also chipped in.

But the total was well below par and Burnham were bowled out with the final ball of the 44th over.

In reply, Chard romped home for the loss of just two wickets thanks to 84 not out from N Johnson and 34 from R Barrett.

A Smith (2-23) took the only wickets of the afternoon for Burnham, but he couldn’t prevent the hosts from cruising home inside 42 overs.

The defeat is only Burnham’s second of the season and sees them fall slightly off the pace at the top of Division Seven – they welcome Ilminster this Saturday.

In Division Three, Lympsham amassed 245-7 from their 45 overs, but still found themselves on the losing side as I Tasker (80) and T Llewellyn (81) fired Uphill Castle 2nd XI to an impressive win.

East Huntspill were 98-run winners over Butleigh thanks to fine all-round performances from Rob Pomeroy and Andy Chedzey.

Pomeroy scored 54 and took 1-20, while Chedzey scored an unbeaten 51 before taking 2-2 to seal a commanding win for the home side.

Batting first, Easts scored 201-5 from their 45 overs, with other contributions coming from K Butt (33) and N Hodge (34).

Butleigh’s reply started in disastrous fashion as I Phillips (3-22) and I Cooke (2-40) ran through the top order.

W Edmondson offered some resistance with 43, but H Dare (2-10), Chedzey and Pomeroy finished the job.

In Division 8N, Lympsham 2nd XI were comfortable 32-run winners at Belvedere 2nd XI, thanks mainly to a spell of 3-33 from M Russ and 82 from A Hall.

Lympsham posted 197-9 batting first, while Belvedere could only muster 165 in reply.