MINEHEAD suffered yet another defeat in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League, this time when they were beaten at home by 85 runs at the hands of rivals Chard.
Bowling first, Dan Bowditch's Minehead made an early breakthrough when returning 16-year-old Oliver Groves had opener Dan Parsons caught at slip by Ellis Taylor for just one.
After that wickets proved hard to come by, however, as Alfie Rucklidge, with one for 59, and Darren Sherring bowled well with little luck.
In the end it was Rob Spiers who took one for 22, who made the breakthrough, removing the dangerous Reid Mawdsley for 40. Soon after Sherring trapped Harvey Evans LBW for 26 as he ended with two for 26.
Wickets then fell with more regularity throughout the middle overs, but number six Scott Wells-Burr chanced his arm with a counter attacking half century to put his side on the path to a decent total.
Lower down the order a couple partnerships managed to haul the score to 235 before Groves returned to finish the innings, recording impressive figures of four for 22.
The chase suffered early setbacks, a common theme this season for the Pirates, as both openers fell for less than 15 and Minehead soon found themselves up against it at 38 for four.
Braden Taylor who made 55 off 79 balls with eight fours and a six was the only batter to put up sustained resistance as he helped himself to his first half century of the season. He was well assisted by Ellis Taylor who made 25 and young Groves with 15, but ultimately another sub par batting display fizzled out as Minehead were all out for 150 in the 37th over giving Chard victory by 85 runs.
Minehead stay bottom of the Somerset Division, having only won one game in the first half of the season and will be hoping their fortunes improve when they host Yeovil on Saturday, July 6.
The game will start at 10.30am so as to finish in time for the England football match at 5pm. That game will be shown at the club and the bar will be open all day.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Wembdon are the new leaders of the division after beating North Petherton away by 35 runs.Wembdon, batting first, scored 233 al out with Harry Love top scoring with 40 Jon Brockwell hit 47 and Kark Trunks 38.
In reply, Petherton came up short despite a knock of 68 by opener Bradley House. Lohan De Zoysa took 3-28.Temple Cloud dropped back to second, ten points behind Wembdon, after losing by three wickets at home to Taunton.
Temple Cloud scored 261-9 in their 50 overs with A Mortimer scoring 71, while all batters made contributions to the final score.In reply opener Luke Redrup led the successful chase for runs with 50, off only 48 balls, while Paul Braithwaite hit 49 and D Lee 48. Minehead captain Dan Bowditch