STOGUMBER gained a 163-run home victory over Bishops Hull in the third division of the West Somerset Cricket League on Saturday.

Stogumber openers Hayes and new recruit Horton scored at a fast pace, using the lightning-fast outfield to capitalise on any loose Hull bowling to reach 76 off the first 9 overs, before Horton (28) was removed, the ball jagging from outside off stump to sneak through the gate onto the stumps. 

B.Rexworthy was the first of three Rexworthys to join Hayes at the crease, moving his feet well to slap the ball to the leg-side boundary, before he was trapped LBW by Wellman for 18.

Z.Rexworthy made an instant impact upon the scoresheet after joining Hayes at the crease, driving well through extra cover to punish the Hull attack. Hayes soon racked up his first century of the season, once again picking up the pace to match Rexworthy’s strike rate, before Rexworthy was bowled for a good-looking 39. 

J.Rexworthy (2), Moore (4) and C.Jenkins (8) were the next two batters to the crease, ably supporting Hayes without adding many runs to the scoresheet themselves.

Hayes’ highlight reel included three consecutive sixes off the bowling of Holman, before being caught at long on for 193. The Stogumber no.8, Fairman hit a quickfire 20* to lift the home side's total to 340/8. 

After the break, Stogumber’s bowlers took advantage of some weary Bishop’s Hull batsmen, Z.Rexworthy trapping Hiett (14) LBW in the 5th over, and taking a second in the 9th, a short ball flicking the glove of Wellman (8) on the way through to the wicket-keeper.

J.Rexworthy was next to showcase his accuracy, after a few wayward warm-up deliveries, eventually castling Lang and Hallas for 0 and 2 respectively. 

Northover and Hull skipper, Holman put up a good fight for the 5th wicket partnership. It was Horton who would eventually break the deadlock, sliding one under the bat of Holman (24) to hit the pad, LBW, before taking a smart caught and bowled opportunity to end the innings of Lock (4).

Soon after, a loose first over from Fairman was followed by a tighter second. A length delivery saw Northover (58) chop on to his stumps to signal the end of a good innings. 

Tight bowling from Moore and Smith towards the end of the innings kept the Hull batters under wraps, while the off-spinner Munro devastated from the other end.

Munro bowled well, picking up the rest of the Hull tail, thanks to a solid catch from B.Rexworthy and a straight delivery in the last over which crashed into the Hull no.11’s stumps.  Bishop’s Hull 2nd XI 177 all out.