MINEHEAD are still without a victory in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Division after losing by seven wickets away to Bridgwater 2nd XI.

Minehead travelled to Bridgwater having lost their two opening games and after being put in Darren Sherring gave them a great start when he cleared wide long-on with a towering six. After moving onto 15 off 13 balls he was out and Ian Buchanan joined Gregg Howard in the middle.

They had taken the score to 63, but were set back when Howard was caught behind for 16.

Captain Dan Bowditch joined Buchanan, and the pair managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over to take the score to 117 without further loss at 25 overs.

Buchanan reached 50 but 10 runs later was out caught short leg going for a reverse sweep.

But Bowditch started finding the boundary regularly and a decent total looked on the cards for the Pirates. He also reached 50 for the first time in 2024, but soon after was LBW.

Ellis Taylor came to the crease and struck a six before being stumped for 11, and then Chris James was bowled for 6, followed soon after by Jonah Hopkins who was stumped for one and Minehead found themselves 181 for seven.

Charlie Payne helped Minehead pass 200 and well supported by Lewis Goodrum and Harry Tudball who both hit 11 and Rob Spiers who ended unbeaten on 25 as the visitors eded on 233 for nine.

Sadly, the weather had taken a turn for the worse during the innings break which resulted in a three hour gap in proceedings. When play eventually got underway again at 6.15pm Bridgwater were chasing a revised 137 from 20 overs. 

Bridgwater opening batters Andrew Hallaran and Harminder Singh showed their intent from ball one, and raced to 86 without loss in just 8 overs. 

Rob Spiers then accounted for Singh caught by Buchanan at deep backward point, and soon after young Lewis Goodrum in only his seventh first team game picked up the big wicket of the dangerous Hallaran for 57.

Bridgy were closing in on the target with time to spare, but Goodrum took another wicket when Chris Skidmore skied a short-pitched delivery which was again safely held by Jonah Hopkins before the hosts cruised to a seven wicket victory.

Scores: Bridgwater Seconds 137 for three beat Minehead 233 for nine by seven wickets (DLS method)