West of England Premier League
Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Bishopston 1st XI 164 beat Ilminster 1st XI 146 by 18 runs

ILMINSTER were left to rue a poor start as they fell 18 runs short away to second-placed Bishopston on Saturday.

Visitors Ilminster put the home side in to bat, Bishopston reaching 16 before Sam Grinter removed Simon George (3) and David O’Brien (0).

The hosts struggled up to 105-6, with the wickets being shared around the bowling attack, and Jamie Tapper fell for what would prove to be a decisive 34, to leave them on 117-7.

Crucial late runs from Prevan Nayanah Rajh (16), James Pilling (12) and Lawrence Cook (12) hauled up Bishopston to 164 all out, their innings ended when Cook was run out by George Hayward off the last ball.

Grinter took 3-26 off 10 overs and James Thompson 2-22 off 10 for Ilminster.

The reply was instantly in trouble, falling to 1-1 and 2-2 as Jon Hurford and Hayward were seen off by Jacob Duffy.

Despite Sam Spurway and Josh Lee both scoring 29, Ilminster were toiling at 111-8.

The last-wicket pairing of Thompson (12) and Grinter (12) did their best, but Thompson was caught and bowled by Duffy (3-8 off 8.4 overs) to end on 164 from 47.4 overs.

Ilminster took six points, falling back from the top two; this Saturday they host leaders Taunton St Andrew’s (12.30pm).