West of England Premier League
Covid Group D
Ilminster 294-5 beat Staplegrove 114 by 180 runs

ILMINSTER bounced back from losing their opening match of the 2020 season, with an emphatic victory away to Staplegrove on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss, opted to bat first, and George Hayward promptly sank his teeth into the Staplegrove bowling attack.

Hayward made his way towards an excellent century, and had reached 121 by the time he was caught off the bowling of Peter Horton (1-55).

He was well supported by Josh Lee (59), Michael McNee (25) and Ian Masters (20*), taking Ilminster to 294-5 from their 40 overs.

Ian Bishop (1-47 off eight overs) was the pick of a home attack that took a bit of a beating.

The hosts’ day did not improve when their turn came to bat, as only openers Graham Bishop (36) and Grant Arden (18) made it to double figures.

James Thompson dismissed Bishop and went on to claim 5-9 off six overs, a spell that decimated Staplegrove’s top and middle order.

McNee (3-21 off five) swept up the tail, and the hosts were all out for 114 in 33.5 overs.

This coming Saturday (12.30pm) sees Ilminster host fellow South Somerset side North Perrott, who were 183-run victors over Street last weekend.

Captain Jake Symes led by example for the hosts, hitting 129, and with Joseph Eckland contributing 58, Perrott were able to rack up 311-5 in 40 overs.

Matt Holland took 2-33 for Street.

The visitors simply could not keep up with the required run rate, with Gary Holland’s 48* their best score as Perrott restricted them to 128-4.

Toby Pattemore claimed 2-39 for the home side, and Lewis Hunt bowled tidily for 0-11 off seven overs.

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Covid Group D
Chard 209-3 beat Shapwick & Polden 207 by 7 wkts

HAVING seen their opener washed out, Chard scored a thumping win at home to Shapwick & Polden on Saturday.

The visitors elected to bat first, only to see their top three rooted out by Richard Scott (1-18 off four overs) and Scott Wells-Burr (2-39 off eight).

Wayne Spencer (98) counter-attacked, but he was eventually dismissed by Reid Mawdsley, who went on to finish off Shapwick’s tail, finishing with 4-39 off 7.4 overs.

Needing 208 to win, Chard raced to the finish line in just 27.2 overs, with openers Mawdsley and Harvey Dening doing most of the legwork.

Mawdsley carried his bat for 78* off 71 balls (10 fours and a six), while Dening smashed 100 off just 65 balls, including six fours and nine sixes!

Ben Ford added 20, and Nathan Johnson (4*) joined Mawdsley as the run chase was completed in emphatic fashion by the hosts.

Chard’s next match is away to Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI on Saturday (12.30pm).