Shrubbery Hotel Somerset League
Premier Division
Taunton St Andrew’s 2nd XI 292-5 beat Burnham-on-Sea 137 by 155 runs

BURNHAM are still looking for their first league victory of the season after losing heavily to a very strong Saints line-up on Saturday.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Burnham’s opening attack made early inroads into the Saints’ line-up, with Peter Harris and Ollie Farnham claiming a wicket apiece.

This brought together former Somerset player Kevin Parsons and skipper Steven Jenkins, who set about repairing the damage.

Parsons set about the Burnham attack, with Rob Driver taking the brunt of the onslaught as he hit four 6s and six 4s in a fine knock of 79.

He eventually fell for 79, caught and bowled by Brett Diver.

Jenkins kept the innings going as he was joined by, first, Tom Poole (23), then Josh Clatworthy whose 57 included six 6s and three 4s.

They both eventually fell to Diver, who manfully stuck to his task despite coming under heavy fire throughout his seven overs to end with 3-68.

With Jenkins unbeaten on 72, the Saints posted a very challenging 292-5.

While all this was going on, Pete Harris registered a creditable 1-13 off his nine overs.

Burnham’s reply was always going to be a big ask and Harris fell early on followed quickly by Dave Worthington.

Rob Driver steadied the ship, hitting a top score of 37 and Lee Coles added a fine 30 from the middle order.

But, with wickets falling regularly, it was only a matter of time as Jamie Woodland cleared up the tail with 3-23 and Nick Eggbeer and Luke Poole took two wickets apiece.

Burnham, who sit at the bottom of the table, will be hoping to break their duck on Saturday when they face fellow strugglers and second-from-bottom Winscombe.

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Somerset League
Division 3
Lympsham 148-9 lost to Ilminster 2nd XI 150-3 by 7 wkts

A MIDDLE order collapse brought about this comprehensive defeat against Ilminster on Saturday.

Batting first, Lympsham’s openers made a confident start, although progress was slow.

Dave Luff (24) and Mike Hosey (25) struggled against a tight attack and got out when trying to up the run rate.

Tom Gooding and Neil Chadwick came to the wicket and both got in, taking the score up to the 100-mark.

But, again, progress was slow and, first, Gooding (21), then Chadwick (33), fell when well set.

Brian Hosey (14) provided late resistance but, from then on, R. Sims came on to take 3-37 as Ilminster kept their stranglehold on the innings.

As a result, Lympsham could only reach 148-9 off their 45 overs.

Brendon Summers opened up with a lively spell for Lympsham, claiming both Ilminster openers early on, but this brought Ian Masters and the evergreen Craig Rice to the wicket.

Masters dominated the innings, hitting an unbeaten 62, and Rice hit 42 before falling victim to Sam Jennings with the finishing line in sight.

Ilminster crossed the line with 11 overs and seven wickets in hand to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.

Summers impressed for Lympsham, taking 2-19 off nine overs but the target was never going to be enough.

On Saturday, Lympsham travel to strugglers Kilve.

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Somerset League
Division 4
Huntspill & District 118-9 lost to South Petherton 119-5 by 5 wkts

HUNTSPILL couldn’t make it two wins on the bounce after losing by five wickets away at South Petherton.

Huntspill lost a crucial toss on a wet wicket after the previous day's rain and soon found themselves in trouble at 9-3 with Slack, Eley and Garner all dismissed cheaply.

Jake Randall and Edwards rebuilt slowly with runs hard to come by in the conditions.

After Edwards fell Organ joined Randall and the pair shared a solid partnership, taking Huntspill past 70.

Organ fell for 19 and was soon followed back by Randall for 35.

Matt Counsell was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Huntspill scraped 118-9 from their 45 overs.

Organ applied early pressure with the ball but lacked support from the other end.

Organ removed H. Young before Crawford took two in two balls to get Huntspill in the game.

Counsell and Davies both got further breakthroughs to leave the home side 72-5.

Missed opportunities against A. Young proved costly as he blasted 40 in quick time to seal victory for South Petherton.