Bridgwater Cricket Club advanced to the next round of the Herbert Baker Cup after beating Ilminster by 10 runs.

In a low-scoring first round tie, Bridgwater finished their innings with 140 runs off 7 wickets from 20 overs.

Facing a difficult battle under dusky skies, openers James Regan and Harminder Singh gave Bridgwater a modest start with their stand of 47 runs.

However, batting against Ilminster's robust bowling line-up comprising LA spinner Cal Rice and pacer Mike Reynolds proved to be a backbreaking task.

The duo bowled with exceptional discipline and restricted Bridgwater to only 140 runs off their allotted 20 overs.

Only Luke Pearson Taylor managed to put up a fight, scoring 22 runs for his side.

During their chase, Ilminster struggled similarly against Bridgwater's ferocious attack, spearheaded by Callum Pope and Seth Locke.

The pair shook Ilminster's top order, reducing them to a precarious 81-6.

Nonetheless, Rice and Vinning's courageous partnership of 49 runs revived Ilminster's hopes of an upset.

But their spirited resistance was thwarted by Pearson Taylor and Locke's exemplary bowling in the final four overs.

Next, Bridgwater will face-off against Taunton St Andrews in the second round scheduled to be held at The Parks on June 12 at 6.15pm.

In another first round match, in the SCF Major Cup, Bridgwater firmly asserted their dominance over Wembdon CC with a 70-run triumph.

Batting first on a pleasant evening at The Parks, Bridgwater posted a formidable total of 240 runs off 6 wickets.

Chris Skidmore emerged as Bridgwater's hero, smashing an undefeated 92 runs adorned with 9 boundaries and 6 maximums.

The Wembdon openers, de Zoysa and Anning, tried coping with Bridgwater's huge target, contributing a decent opening partnership.

However, Bridgwater's bowlers particularly, Toohey, Bellinger, and Locke, skilfully pulled the reins on the scoring, causing a flurry of wickets.

Wembdon struggled to accelerate the scoring in the concluding overs due to the tightened grip of Bridgwater's bowlers.

Although Harry Love and lower-order batsmen tried to mitigate the looming defeat, it wasn't enough to match Bridgwater's substantial total.

The second round for this competition will be against Taunton St Andrews at The Parks on June 19 at 6.25pm.