MINEHEAD finally got of the mark in the 2024 season with a dramatic three-run away win over fellow strugglers Frome in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League on Saturday. 

Skipper Dan Bowditch won an important toss and elected to bat on what looked a decent surface but lost opener Darren Sherring and Elliott Rice early on to leave them 30-2. 

Andrew Stevens (22) played watchfully at the other end and along with Bowditch (12) pushed the score past 50 before the latter succumbed to the spin of Harman, sparking a middle order collapse all too common for the pirates this season. 

At 96-8 another well below par total looked on the cards but a valuable 18 not out from number ten Rob Spiers and some assistance from Jack Richards (3) helped post a semi-respectable 127 all out. 

The away side knew early wickets would be key and Braden Taylor obliged, Dredge (5) well caught at short mid-wicket by Chris James. 

However, number three Corbett came to the crease and dispatched anything loose from the Minehead seamers and looked to have the chase under control on his way to a run a ball 50. 

The introduction of spinners Bowditch (1-12) and Richards (3-29) proved to be key however as Bowditch dismissed Padgett (4) and Richards accounted for Corbett (54), Watts (0) and Smith (2). 

The pair conceded just 41 runs in 20 overs to leave the hosts reeling at 106-6. No. 5 Croker (32*) was still standing strong, but after a careless run out and two wickets in an over from the returning Taylor, was left with only one partner and 15 runs still to get. 

He launched Sherring for a gargantuan six to bring the required into single figures but could not find a single to get back on strike, leaving No. 11 Cox (1) exposed to the impressive Taylor (4-15). A couple close shouts followed before the fifth ball of the over snuck through the defences to peg back middle stump and spark wild celebrations among the Minehead contingent. 

The win drags Minehead off bottom spot and they’ll be hoping it kick starts their season after a poor start. They travel to mid-table Taunton this Saturday (June 22) looking to build some momentum as the halfway mark approaches.

*Minehead are now second from bottom with 47 points from their opening seven matches. However, they are 25 points behind the next placed side Chard.

Meanwhile, Bridgwater have a three-point lead at the top of the table after they beat Wembdon by six wickets at home in a rain-affected match.

Wembdon scored 212 all out and Bridgwater achieved the revised target of 185 from 41 overs - with 13 balls to spare.