West of England Premier League
Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Ilminster 1st XI (141-4) beat Claverham (Yatton) 1st XI (140 all out) by six wickets

ILMINSTER sured up their mid-table position in WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset with a comfortable six-wicket win over Claverham.

Visitors Ilminster won the toss and put their hosts into bat, with a good fielding performance helping them to turn the screw on their opponents.

Three run-outs, and two wickets each for Louis Kraucamp, James Thompson and Charlie Vickery, had Claverham all out for 140 in 42.4 overs.

Captain Sam Spurway also bowled 10 tight overs (for 31 runs), to make up for Ilminster being without several regular bowlers.

The visitors’ reply got off to a flyer, as Kraucamp hit 46 off 21 balls, and good knocks from George Heyward (29) and Jonny Warry (35no) got them to the target with six wickets in hand.

Ilminster sit fifth in the league standings, six points off Taunton CC in third, and those two teams meet this Saturday (June 17, 1pm), at Ilminster’s Recreation Ground, Canal Way.

This Friday, Ilminster Under-19s begin their NatWest T20 Blast competition at home to Yeovil – also at the Rec (6pm start).

Fans can enjoy a barbecue, bar, bouncy castle, live DJ and of course some fast-paced cricketing action.

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MONDAY evening brought disappointment for Ilminster, North Perrott and Chard Cricket Clubs in the Baker Cup competitions.

Ilminster lost their Baker Cup quarter-final to North Petherton by eight wickets.

Scott Briffett and Brad Porteous did much of the damage, taking three wickets each as Ilminster could only post 108.

Porteous then hit 65 not out as Pethy reached the target and secured passage to the semi-finals, where they face Taunton Deane.

Also involved in the quarter-finals, and also tasting defeat, were North Perrott.

They faced Taunton A, but could not transfer their imperious league form, as the county town team made it into the last four to face Taunton St Andrew’s A.

In the Terry Mockridge Shield section of the competition, Chard took on fellow WEPL Somerset Division side Staplegrove.

But it was the Grove who triumphed, earning a Shield semi-final against Wellington.