26th August 2011

SOMERSET CRICKET: Chard on the brink of promotion

WEST of ENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier Division Two

SEVERAL Ilminster 1st XI cricketers resorted to watching team mates Jon Hurford and skipper Sam Spurway in FA Cup action for Chard Town against Torpoint Athletic after their scheduled visit by Glastonbury was somewhat hastily called off - the sun certainly shone all afternoon at Zembard Lane.

Spurway would have beenforced to sit the game out anyway having picked up a three game suspension, along with team mate Matt Burfield for an incident with an umpire in a recent game at Warminster.

Ilminster netted just five points for the postponment whilst rivals Ashcott & Shapwick gained ground with a fine six wicket win at Gloucester City Winget who despite the loss remain top.

This all points to tomorrow’s visit by the Bristol West Indiansbeign a must-win affair.

Bristol & Somerset Division

A DEVASTATING return of 6 for 23 from paceman Scott Wells-Burr has, barring a mathematical miracle, guaranteed Chard 1st XI their second suvccessful promotion campaign in three seasons and a place in the Premier Two Division next season.

Saturday’s match at Bedminster’s Clanage Ground was reduced to 40 overs per side due to rain.

Host skipper James Carter’s decision to insert the visitors looked a good one as both opener Andrew Clancy and number three Jake Hayes were both dismissed for ducks. When Rob Glentwoth (18) follwed soon after Chard were in trouble at 26 for 3.

A vital fourth wicket stand of 81 between John Scott (46) and Scott Wells-Burr (44, three 6s) followed by 54 for the fifth wicket between Scott and Michael Kennedy (41) hauled to score up to a much more respectable 161 for 5.

All three batsmen eventually fell to Indian leg-spinner Parag Khanapurkar who was in the middle of an 11.4 over spell that was to yield 6 for 58 including a hat-trick.

Chard were finally dismissed for 196 with two balls of their allotted 40 overs unused.

There was a similar start to the Bedminster innings as they limped to 28 for 3. There was even a six-wicket hero with the Chard bowling ranks as well with Wells-Burr bagging a career-best 6 for 23. But unlike their Chard counterparts, the hosts’ middle failed to fire and they were bundled out for just 60 with Jon Dalwood helping himself to 3 for 16 to take his tally of league victims for the season to a best-ever 46.

With two games remaining the most Chard will need to guarantee promotion is ten points10 points. Weather permitting, these, and more, will be safely pouched with tomorrows visit by lowly Old Bristolians Westbury to Dening Field.

Somerset Division

ILTON 1st XIs scheduled trip to Westlands Sports was rained off. The team are due to travel to Bishops Lydeard tomorrow.

Premier Division Two 2nd XI

ILMINSTER 2nds slipped a place to fifth after useful knocks from Andy Sims (41) and Josh Lee (34) failed to prevent a six wicket defeat at Glastonbury.

The pair added 88 in a fifth wicket stand after Ilminster had stumbled to 15 for 4.

But the final total of 128 was always going to be difficult to defend.

And so it proved. Luke Paul claimed 3 for 31 from his seven overs but Glasto’ opener Tom Brock struck an unbeaten 62 and the hosts eased home in 29.1 overs.

The Ilminster are on their travels tomorrow - they visit the Bristol West Indians.

Bristol & Somerset Division 2nd XI

HEAVY rain and a waterlogged pitch caused Chard 2nd XIs visit by Bedminster to be postponed. Chard, still lying fifth in the table travel to Old Bristolians tomorrow.

SOMERSET LEAGUE

Division One

A HALF-century from Sam Harper was the hgihlight of North Perrott 1st XIs five wicket defeat at Stogumber.

Harper struck a fine 67 and was abley assisted by Sean Rowlands (38) as Perrott totalled 218 from 44 overs.

But 50s from opener Weetch (65) and Rexworthy (57) carried the hosts to victory.

Perrott visit Ashbrittle tomorrow, team; (meet NPCC at 11.15am to be on ground by 12.15) Tom Briggs (Captain), Sam Harper, Mark Downing, Joel Webb, Sean Rowlands, Joe Gawronski, Josh Clarke, Piers Szczepanski, Dom Barnes (w/k), Lee Grant, Nick Bond.

Division Two

RELEGATION haunted Barrington 1st XIs trip to league leaders Middlezoy went with form as they were beaten by 32 runs.

The Barrington bowlers were all amongst the wickets with Chris Bussell (3 for 51), Kevin Smith (2 for 31) and Steve Redwood (2 for 33) the most successful as the hosts were restricted to 163 for 8 from their 45 overs.

In reply solid knocks from Smith (40) and Bussell (30) just failed to give the visitors an unlikely away day success.

Barrington entertain already relegated neighbours South Petherton 1st XI tomorrow.

Pethy went down to a four-wicket home defeat by Wincanton at Lightgate Lane.

Steve Sibley top-scored with 37 as the hosts posted 130 for 9 from 35.4 overs.

The visitors were soon under pressure thanks mainly due to a superb spell of 12-5-23-5 from Kevin Harris. But an unbeaten 65 from number eight batsman Thomas saw them home.

Division Four

NORTH Perrott 2nd XIs visit by Westlands 2nds was rained-off. The team are due to entertain Belvedere tomorrow, team; (on ground by 12.45) Chris Boundy (captain), Phil Spurway, Stacy Hawes, Ben Dickinson, Dave Baggs, Olly Oulton, George Johnson, Steve Boundy, Louis Best (w/k), Pete Ireland, Johnny Ireland.

Division Six

THERE was a similar story at Taunton Deane where the Cavaliers were due to entertain the Broadway & Horton 1st XI.

Champions-elect B & H are due to welcome East Coker The Pound Ground tomorrow.

Division Seven

ILMINSTER As visit by Huish & Langport was also washed-out but up the road Barrington 2nd XI were in action against Glastonbury Lambs.

Batting first the Lambs posted 185 for 6 with skipper Alan Wellman (2 for 46) and Rich Pippen (2 for 33) amongst the hosts’ wicket-takers.

In reply Anthony Smith clipped a fine 59 but Barrington fell just 10 runs short of victory when they were dismissed for 176.

Both local sides are on the road tomorrow with Ilminster at Sparkford and Barrington at Purnells.

Division Eight

All Saints fought hard put couldn't pull off victory in the relegation battle against Chilton Polden thanks in the main to a match-winning 127 from N Dobbs.

Saints opted to field first, but failed to make the breakthrough until 97 was on the board before skipper Mike Nunns claimed the first of his 3 for 50.

Dobbs, making his second appearance for Polden, played excellently and fittingly brought up his century with a maximim, but when Nunns removed him at 179 for 2, the resistance folded.

Steve Trott came on and took five wickets in four overs, finishing with 5 for 28, and the home side finished on 216-8.

All Saints made a good fist of it, with contributions of 31 from James and Steve Trott, 49 from Fraser Wallace, and James Nunns' maiden half-century (52no.

But with the required run rate climbing, Saints could only muster 193 for 5, and must look to the two crucial remaining games against the top and bottom teams to avoid relegation.

First up it’s tomorrow’s visit by high-flying Temple Cloud.

Division Nine (South)

ILMINSTER Bs match ant Wembdon Academy was another that fell foul of the weather.

Meanwhile the South Petherton 2nd XI came out second best in the derby game at North Petherton.

The North rattled up 175 for 9 with Gary Young (3 for 40) the pick of the South’s attack.

Opener Gary Wookey fell one short of a half-century as he top-scored with 49 as the Southerners fell 34 runs short on 142 for 8.

South Petherton entertain promotion-chasers Watchet tomorrow.

Division Ten (South-East)

CHARD 750’s trip to Westalnds was cancelled. The team are scheduled to welcome Chilton Polden tomorrow whilst Ilton 2nd XI return to action with the visit of Westands 3rds. On Sunday Ilton entertain Chard 750.

DORSET LEAGUE - Division Seven

Crewkerne made it a magnificent seven straight league wins with a hard-fought 14 run victory against Poole Town 4ths.

With the game being reduced to 40 overs each, Ashley’s Lawrence’s men were inserted and initially found the going slow losing two early wickets, but a brilliant 149-run third wicket partnership between Jon Gould (83) and Guy Woodgate (67) proved to be all important as they ended up with a competitive 194-4.

Geoff Carr took an early wicket in the second over of Poole’s reply to leave Crewkerne looking in control, however Poole kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Mark Culpitt (1-48) and Carr (2-38) both bowled well and took important wickets. Despite having wickets in hand, Poole fell 14 runs short as Crewkerne’s excellent recent form continued.

It all comes down to the final league match of the season, as second-placed Crewkerne take the short trip to league leaders Bradford Abbas - the teams were promoted together in the previous season.

A win will guarantee a second successive promotion for the Henhayes based side. Cerne Valley 2nds are also still in the promotion chase after a good recent run of form, so Crewkerne despite a few players being unavailable have named a strong side; A Lawrence (captain), J Gould, Steve Briggs, G Carr, R Cornelius, M Culpitt, C Gould, W Higgins, T Hyde, F Medley, G Woodgate

Crewkerne’s friendly were beaten by seven wickets against visitors Kingsdon on Sunday. Batting first, Crewkerne posted 103 with five players, Guy Woodgate (16), Nick Keylock (13), Phil Palfrey (24), Mike Brockwell (21) and Adam George (12) all posting double figures but none could go on to make a big innings.

In reply Rob Cornelius (2-36) bowled a good spell as Crewkerne but Kingsdon won by seven wickets.

Crewkerne’s friendly side take on Bride Vale, the visitors from Little Bredy in Dorset in the final home match of the season on Sunday, team; H Hodder (Captain), N Bodger, M Brockwell, M Brunt, R Cornelius, M Culpitt, J Hunter, T Hyde, N Keylock, Richard Keylock, Robert Keylock, A Knight, F Medley, Joe Osborne, J Palfrey, M Pearce, G Preston, R Wakely, G Woodgate.

SOMERSET CRICKET: Chard on the brink of promotion

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