Monmouth Scientific Somerset League
Division 2
Burnham-on-Sea 242-5 beat North Newton 240-7 by 2 runs

BURNHAM-ON-SEA moved off the bottom of the Division 2 table with a victory that was as surprising as it was nail-biting.

They travelled to promotion contenders North Newton, and having been put in, the visitors lost opener Dave Worthington (1) to Miles Barham (2-27).

But that would be the last wicket to fall for quite some time, as Peter Harris struck 109 and skipper Rob Driver 73no in a big second-wicket partnership.

Harris eventually fell to Carl Clemenson (1-42), and although Cameron Street chipped in with 2-32, useful scores from Brad House (25), Phil White (4) and Matt Dibble (7) topped up Burnham’s score to 242-5.

Andrew Jenkins (64) and Alexis Girardin (17) got the Newton reply up and running, but centurion Harris was not finished for the day.

He claimed 4-40 off nine overs, and was the man to curtail the innings of Tom Williams (86), who had looked like leading the hosts home.

But with further wickets taken by Dibble (1-24 off four), Driver (1-36 off nine) and Ollie Farnham (1-44 off nine), it was the away side who came out on top – just.

Now above Purnell at the foot of the table, Burnham entertain second-placed Frome 2nds this coming Saturday, in their penultimate match of the season.

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HUNTSPILL & District lost by 55 runs at home to Taunton St Andrew’s A in Division 4 of the Somerset League on Saturday.

But they remain in contention to take the title, as main rivals Castle Cary and Crewkerne also lost.

Huntspill put their visitors in to bat first, and Dean Adams (4-60) and Sam Lillycrop (2-35) helped reduce them from 51-1 to to 64-4.

But opener Guy Wolfenden (85) was proving difficult to shift and, with support from Ashton Norie (23) and Sam Woodland (24), he led the Saints to 186 all out – Matt Counsell chipping in with 2-29 for the hosts.

The run chase began badly, Lillycrop (4) being run out, but Steve Eley (18), Thomas Garner (25) and Craig Slack (31) rebuilt.

But after their efforts, only Matt Osmant (12) and Counsell (13) managed double-figure scores.

Woodland, Freddie Wolfenden and Thomas Bowen took two wickets apiece as Huntspill crashed out to 131 all out.

Huntspill head to Huish & Langport this Saturday.

Wedmore strengthened their grip on the second promotion spot in Division 5, with an eight-wicket win at Leigh on Mendip.

The visitors elected to field first, and were soon celebrating the departure of opener Sam Gould (0).

Barry Gould made 22 and Ash Brownlow 25, but those were the best scores for the hosts as Martyn Boley took 2-28, Sam Blackburn 2-25 and Dan Luedicke 2-16.

Chasing 125, Wedmore got there in 23.5 overs, but not before losing both openers to Browlow (2-27).

Ben Evans (41no) and Boley (48no) calmed the nerves, though, and saw their side home.

Next up for Wedmore is a home match with Street 2nds on Saturday.

Finally, spare a thought for Mark in Division 8N, beaten by 10 wickets at Wells 2nds.

With only nine players, Mark were all out for just 11 – Richard Goff (4) and Extras (5) top scoring – in eight overs, as James Barber took 5-6 and Ryan Cooper 3-5.

The ‘chase’ took 2.3 overs for the home side to complete.