Shapwick & Polden CC 161 / All out (40.5) lost to Ilminster CC 223 / All out (46.2)

ILMINSTER Cricket Club picked up an impressive 62-run victory away from home against Shapwick & Polden at the weekend.

The match in the WEPL Premier Two Bristol/Somerset division was fiercely contested but the away side came out on top.

The win takes Ilminster to fourth place in the league table after picking up 19 points from the win.

After winning the toss, Shapwick & Polden chose to field first and the visitors set the target of 223 runs when they were all out in the 47th over.

Ilminster's openers Sam Spurway and Adeesha Nanayakkara made an okay start but there was a mini collapse early on.

Spurway was out for 11 runs leaving Ilminster 18 for 1, and incoming batter Jonny Warry was out for a duck leaving the visitors 18 for 2.

However, Nanayakkara and Ben Johnston put together a partnership of over 100 runs to put the side back on track.

Nanayakkara was dismissed for 59 runs while Johnston scored 54 before he was run out.

George Hayward added 36 runs while James Thompson (17) and Riley Millett (12) helped take the total that bit higher with some decent shots in the lower order.

There was a four-wicket haul for Shapwick bowler Calum Haggett who was in fine form in the innings.

In reply, Shapwick got off to a poor start with the bat as the Ilminster bowlers took the important wickets of the openers early on.

The hosts found themselves at 28 for 3 after the top order of Tom Barr, James Hayman and Josh Luckins were all dismissed for single digit scores.

Rob Hill added 35 runs while captain Calum Haggett scored 55 to help settle the innings for the home side.

Despite that though Shapwick were still some way off the required run rate and the target looked more and more unachievable.

Ed Habberfield scored 37 runs in the tail order to push it closer but wickets kept falling around him and rather quickly.

During the 41st over the final wicket fell for Shapwick and Ilminster's bowlers had helped earn their side a comfortable win.

Ben Johnston finished with the best bowling figures with 4 wickets for 29 runs off 10 overs.

Lachlan Rice picked up 3 wickets in the match as well while Adeesha Nanayakkara and James Thompson rounded out the wickets.

All in all a very strong win from the Ilminster side on the road and they will now look to finish the season strong in the final two fixtures.

Up next for Ilminster is the penultimate game of the season at home against Keynsham CC on Saturday.