MINEHEAD First XI made the trip to play against Shapwick and Polden in the WEPL Somerset Division on Saturday afternoon where another disappointing batting display resulted in them being defeated by seven wickets. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Minehead got off to a steady start before losing openers Ian Buchanan and Jonah Hopkins in quick succession.  Number three batter Josh Hurley and Braden Taylor, who made 15, looked to steady the ship with runs hard to come by thanks to some accurate bowling from both ends. Their resistance came to an end when Hurley was bowled for 18, prompting a mini collapse as three further wickets fell for just 11 runs, leaving the away side reeling at 66 for six   Joe Mason was the main instigator as he dismissed the middle order to record the impressive figures of three for 16 from his 10 overs.  Captain Dan Bowditch chose the counterattack option from number eight as he looked to build his team a competitive score. The skipper hit eight fours and a six on his way to 44 off 28 balls before being stumped attempting to bring up a half century and the innings quickly petered out shortly after, Minehead all out for 124 in the 36th over.  With a small total to chase down the Shapwick and Polden opening batters wasted no time in setting about their run chase.  James Hayman, who had earlier taken one wicket for 26 from his nine over spell, hit 30 while Stuart Edmunds made 36 at a run a ball as the pair added 56 in quick time before the first wicket fell to the bowling of Rob Spiers. The hosts second wicket took the total onto 99 before Spiers struck again, claiming the wicket of Lukins leg before wicket for 22. Spiers and Ananthapadmanabhan Rajan bowled well in tandem to delay the inevitable, but in the end the home side passed the total in the 22nd over to pick up the maximum 20 points. Spiers ended with two for 35 from his seven overs while while  Rajan claimed one wicket for 37 from his 5.1 overs. Minehead are now all but relegated from the WEPL Somerset Division with it likely to be three sides teams going down at the end of this season.  This coming Saturday Minehead host fellow strugglers Frome with the game starting at 12 noon, when another young side taking to the field in the hope of gaining some valuable experience for the seasons to come. Minehead Seconds make the trip to play their counterparts at Wellington CC in Somerset Cricket League Division Three  starting at 1.30pm.