STOGUMBER travelled to Sampford Arundel on Saturday in search of their first away win of the season in the third division of the West Somerset League - and succeeded splendidly.

Stogumber, deciding to bat, set off at a good rate, punishing bad balls until Crockett bowled Horton for 10. Moore (8) was trapped LBW by another Crockett delivery. Next, Z.Rexworthy (5) was bowled leaving skipper Hayes with some work to do.

Hayes continued to attack at one end, surpassing 50 before Fairman was run out. Crockett took his third wicket soon after, Smith out for a duck, bringing Richings to the crease.

With the weather looming, Richings and Hayes took turns crashing balls both to and over the boundary, bringing up the 150 for Stogumber. A short rain delay brought the demise of Richings (44), playing across the line to a straight ball.

Yaw showed lots of promise, driving well through covers while Hayes brought up his century, and then his 150 shortly afterwards.

When Yaw was bowled in the same fashion as Richings, and with C.Jenkins bowled shortly afterwards, Hayes farmed the strike to pile on further runs to the total, ably supported by Watson (7) and J.Jenkins (0*).

Stogumber’s final total, 336, was reached in the 39th over, Hayes driving the ball into the clutches of deep mid-on for another impressive 190.

With the worst of the weather past them, it was Stogumber’s bowlers who could now shine. Z.Rexworthy (7-0-31-1) struck in his first over, bowling Lyon-Taylor with a straight one.

Sampford rallied with R.Milton, before Richings (9-2-28-2) struck at the other end twice in quick succession, Milton caught by Hayes behind the stumps and Crossley bowled after a flick of the pads. Watson (6-1-25-2), fresh into the team and bowling attack supplied the fourth wicket, with Hayes taking another catch down the leg side before a 5 over assault from Sampford’s captain, Vince Milton saw the home side reach 130.

A solid catch from Z.Rexworthy under a high ball from the bat of Milton saw Watson take his second, before it was the turn of Jenkins (5-3-7-1) and Yaw (5-0-16-1) to make further impacts on the match.

After a tough first over for Yaw, he and Horton combined to remove Sampford’s highest run scorer, Fewings, for 50. Jenkins’ hard work was rewarded with a caught and bowled opportunity to remove the next Sampford batter, bringing Crockett to the crease for the final wicket.

Smith (0.3-0-0-1) was handed the ball in the 39th and did not disappoint, his third delivery finding the edge to bring a great catch from Fairman, diving forward at 1st slip. Sampford Arundel 164 all out.