WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Ilminster 199-6 beat Bishopston 195-9 by 4 wkts

DESPITE missing several regulars due to matrimonial and revelling (Glastonbury) commitments, Ilminster 1st XI pulled off a fine win away to Bishopston on Saturday to ease their relegation fears.

Bishopston sat third going into the match, with Ilminster perched precariously above the dropzone, but it was the visitors who won the day by four wickets.

The home side elected to bat first, and although they were in a sticky spot at 34-2, steady scores from Gloucestershire pro Benny Howell (34), Mark Coombes (21), David O’Brien (39) and Jacob Duffy (41) kept them ticking over.

Ilminster, though, ensured their target would be less than 200 with some controlled bowling.

The wickets were shared around, as Richard Elswood took 2-41 off 10 overs, George Hayward 2-43 off 10 and Craig Rice 2-6 off two.

The run chase did not get off to the best of starts, opener Louis Kraucamp (3) only surviving six balls.

But they managed to build good partnerships for the next five wickets, as Hayward posted 29, Keelan Ashby 37, Sam Spurway 48, Jon Hurford 35 and Rice 16.

That took the visitors within touching distance, leaving Charlie Male (5no) and Dan Vining (7no) to get their side over the finish line with one over to spare.

Now up in fifth place, Ilminster face a tough test this Saturday (12.30pm), away to leaders Taunton Deane, who won by just one wicket at the Rec on the opening day of the season.

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Paul Oliver shone with bat and ball as Ilminster 2nds eased past Burnham-on-Sea by six wickets in Division 2.

Burnham won the toss and chose to bat but lost three early wickets as Josh House (2-21 from seven) and Ian Masters (1-17 from nine) struck.

Cal Rice (2-41 from nine) picked up useful middle order wickets before Oliver claimed 4-41 from nine, including the key scalp of home skipper Rob Driver for 63.

Chasing 172 for victory, Andrew Robinson made 33 before Oliver (53*) and House (27*) carried Ilminster over the line in the 31st over.

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ILMINSTER Under-19s hosted their latest T20 match against Yeovil last Friday evening, in front of another sizeable crowd.

The result did not go the hosts’ way, however, as Yeovil won by 23 runs.

Tom Laney scored 36 and Jack Veale 45 as the visitors posted 159-8 – J Pyman taking 2-13 off four and Lachlan Rice 2-24 off four.

Ilminster only lost two wickets in their reply, but despite Charlie Male (50) and Pyman (52) both retiring not out, they could only amass 136 from their allocated 20 overs.