Ilminster Cricket Club defeat Yeovil in WEPL Somerset

Ilminster moved into promotion contention with a comfortable victory over Yeovil at home on Saturday (June 28).

After Yeovil won the toss and elected to bat, Ilminster set about reducing their visitors to 180 all out inside 38 over before knocking off the target inside 28 over themselves with just a single wicket lost.

Ilminster made quick inroads to Yeovils batting order, with the first wicket falling in the third ball of the day – Matthew Shorto out for a duck as he was caught off the bowling of Hugh Moore.

His fellow opener Siby Chacko provided some resistance, falling one run short of a hundred off 54 balls with 12 fours and six sixes.

Yeovil had recovered to 136-3 when Chacko was out but fell to 152-5 after a couple quick wickets.

The visitors put on 14 for the sixth wicket but then lost three wickets without adding to the score.

Ultimately Yeovil were bowled out for 180 in the end. Adeesha Nanayakkara was the pick of the bowling for Ilminster with 4-17 off nine overs. Lachlan Rice and Jon Hurford also picked up a couple wickets a piece.

In response to Yeovil’s total, Ilminster had a similar start to their innings as four balls in, opener Riley Millett was out for a duck. But from there it was plain sailing for the home side.

Nanayakkara completed a match winning performance, scoring 119 not out off 85 balls, scoring 19 fours and two sixes in that total.

He was partnered by Lachlan Rice who was 49 not out off 77 balls with eight fours.

Ilminster reached the target in the first ball of the 28th over.

The result leaves Ilminster in third place at the half way stage, just a couple of points off Taunton Deane at the top, with North Perrott level on points with Ilminster.

Meanwhile, Chard Cricket Club lost out to fellow promotion chasers Frome in Somerset Cricket League, Premier Division. Frome won the toss at home and elected to bat, posting 304-3 off 45 overs. Chard could only get to 257 when they were bowled out in the 42nd over.