Monmouth Scientific Somerset League
Division 2
Purnell 256-5 beat Burnham-on-Sea 252 by 5 wkts

BURNHAM-ON-SEA slipped to the bottom of the Division 2 table after this damaging defeat at fellow strugglers Purnell on Saturday.

Having won the toss and opted to bat, Burnham made a super start through openers Dave Worthington and Brad House, both of whom made half centuries.

Worthington fell on 50, the first of four wickets for Matt Johnson, who then dismissed Lee Coles (5) and Matt Dibble (14) cheaply to halt Burnham’s momentum.

House continued to within touching distance of a century but, for the second week in succession, he fell in the 90s.

After 98 last time out against Cheddar, he was on 95 on this occasion when Johnson had him caught by Jack Hewish.

House’s fine knock was added to by captain Rob Driver (30) to help Burnham to 252, Rio Byrant taking 4-36, and there were early wickets for Driver and Connor Lefrere in reply.

Court Redwood (57) and Lewis Redwood (69) put together a crucial third-wicket stand which was broken by Dibble (1-69), and further scalps for Lefrere (2-29) and Tom McCollum (1-70) saw Purnell at 222-5 needing 31 from six overs.

The experienced Mike Francis carried the hosts over the line, winning the match with a boundary to bring up his half century with his son Max (17no) at the other end.

Burnham travel to Taunton 2nds on Saturday.