CRICKET: Chard, Ilminster and North Perrott all seal West of England Premier League wins

CHARD made it two wins from two to start the season, as Chris Scott’s six-wicket haul led them to a nine-wicket victory at Staplegrove on Saturday.

Scott had taken 8-8 off 8.5 overs in the previous weekend’s win over Minehead, and he continued that electric early season form with 6-22 from six overs at Staplegrove.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first, with their openers Thomas Pantling and Lee Pope easing past 50 without loss.

But 58-0 became 65-5 when Scott got into the groove, starting by removing Pope for 33 and then Henry Graydon for two, both trapped lbw.

Jack Lewis was caught and bowled for a duck, Pantling (26) was caught by Jon Dalwood, and then Peter Horton (0) was caught behind by Nathan Warren, giving Scott his five-fer.

Joe Greenwood made a quick-fire 13 to move the hosts onto 84, only for Scott to strike again, this time Richard Scott taking the catch.

From there Dalwood took over, pinning Shaun Lee (5) lbw to reduce Grove to 86-7.

The final three wickets fell with the home score stuck on 93, as Dalwood dismissed Ian Bishop for six (caught by Harvey Dening), clean bowled William Parkman (2) and finally removed Miles Quick for a duck, Pete Moxom with the catch.

Dalwood finished with figures of 4-12 off 5.4 overs, and the visitors were in a very good position to claim a second win, having dismissed their hosts in a mere 20.4 overs.

Opener Jonathan Scott only lasted 13 balls, falling to Parkman for eight, but from 17-1 Chard did not lose another wicket.

Johnson (45no) and Dening (36no) hit seven fours apiece as the target was attained in just 20.3 overs.

With two wins from two, Chard sit second in the Somerset Division standings, level with Bridgwater 2nds on 41 points.

This coming Saturday (12.30pm start) sees them entertain Uphill Castle, who have lost their opening two matches.

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West of England Premier League
Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Ilminster 230-3 beat Bishopston 229-8 by 7 wkts

ILMINSTER bounced back from their opening day defeat to claim a fine victory at Bishopston, with Louis Kraucamp hitting an unbeaten century.

Winning the toss and electing to field, the visitors had to wait until Harry Montacute removed Jack Penn (18) for the first wicket, but Montacute then struck again (wicketkeeper Josh Lee again taking the catch) to dismiss Daaryoush Ahmed for 17.

But from 48-2, Bishopston moved towards 100, only to lose three quick wickets to slump to 108-5, as James Thompson and Richard Elswood found some joy.

Jamie Tapper wasn’t going anywhere, however, as he made an unbeaten 74, aided by Jack Hunter (21) and Frank Connelly (20).

So for all the efforts of Elswood (2-30), Montacute (2-46) and Matt Davis (2-53), the hosts’ total of 229 looked a testing one.

Not that Kraucamp seemed concerned; the opener smashing his way to 117 not out off 110 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes.

He was ably supported by Jonny Warry (45) as the pair made 94 before Warry fell to Tapper.

Dan Vining (9) and Sam Spurway (16) were dismissed by Mark Coombes (2-21), but Davis (9no) and Kraucamp saw Ilminster to victory with 6.1 overs to spare.

Saturday sees Ilminster host Keynsham, with a 12.30pm start.

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WINNING START: North Perrott 1st XI (from left): back row - Jamie England, Lewis Hunt, Nick Taylor, Jack Henderson, Stacey Hawes, Lorraine Szczepanski; front row - George Johnson, George Retter, Jake Symes (captain), Gordon Whorlow, Josh Marshal-James.

West of England Premier League
Somerset Division
North Perrott 168-2 beat Wembdon 167 by 8 wkts

GORDON Whorlow starred with bat and ball as North Perrott picked up their second straight win in WEPL Somerset.

Put in to bat, Wembdon opener Dan Bingham made 22, but the only other notable score came from Sam Puddy (31), as the hosts were all out for 167.

Whorlow took 4-32 off nine overs and Lorraine Szczepanski 3-30 off eight for the visitors.

Come the reply, Whorlow hit eight fours in his 71 not out, with George Retter (36) and Jake Symes (38no) also contributing to a fairly patient effort – victory secured in 43.2 overs.

This Saturday sees Perrott host Frome (12.30pm).