Monmouth Scientific Somerset League
Division 2
Taunton 2nds 254-3 beat Burnham-on-Sea 119 by 135 runs

BURNHAM-ON-SEA remain rooted to the bottom of the Division 2 standings, after a heavy defeat away to fifth-placed Taunton 2nd XI on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Taunton were reduced to 54-2 as Bertie Preston (8) fell to Ollie Farnham (1-39 off nine overs) and Simon Manley (22) was trapped lbw by Peter Harris (1-19 off nine).

But Oliver O’Livey (57) and Varun Rohilla (101no) pressed on to 170 without further loss to put their side back in the driving seat, with Matt Dibble (0-66 off nine) coming in for particular punishment.

Phil White (1-38 off six) clean bowled O’Livey, but Richard Glover (31no) joined Rohilla and together they took the hosts to an imposing total of 254-3 from their 45 overs.

The run chase became all the more challenging when the in-form Brad House went for a duck, and he was soon followed by Dave Worthington (2) and Lee Coles (0) to leave Burnham 19-3.

Rob Driver (13) resisted for a while, before falling victim to Ben Chaffey (3-20 off six).

Aside from White’s 43 and a late 14 from No. 10 Fred Berry, there was little to suggest that Burnham could get close – Ed Kerslake taking 2-17 off seven and Henry Weatherill 2-35 off six.

All out for 119 in 33 overs, Burnham are 15 points adrift of safety in the current league standings.

This Saturday brings an even tougher test, as they host leaders Trull at the BASC Ground.