STRUGGLING Minehead will be chasing only their second victory of the season when they play away to Shapwick & Polden in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League on Saturday, August 10.

Minehead are now 33 points adrift at the bottom of the table and 50 points behind North Petherton who are third from bottom.

With only four more matches remaining they now face the almost impossible task of trying to avoid relegation and making a quick return to the Premier Division of the Somerset League.

Despite results, Minehead have not been afraid to play youngsters this season and they will be fielding one of their youngest ever sides for the visit to Polden.

Meanwhile, Minehead suffered another agonising home defeat last Saturday when they lost out to high flyers Temple Cloud by just 13 runs.

Spinner Jack Richards got his side off to a good start when he removed opener Hackett for just nine but the experienced pair of Mortimer and Forrest played watchfully to see off the new ball while punishing anything loose.

It was Oliver Groves (1-36) who made the breakthrough, Mortimer well caught for 22 before Darren Sherring (2-45) removed the dangerous Croker (9) and Forrest (24) in quick succession.

Richards then took care of the dangerous visiting captain Curtis for just 13 to end with impressive figures of 2-32 from his 10 overs.

Thompson (15) and Filer (32) began to rebuild, Filer in particular punishing anything loose before being caught at slip off the bowling of Dan Bowditch (2-20).

Braden Taylor (2-6) entered the attack and stalled any chance of another partnership as he picked up the last two wickets in the same over to see the innings close on 160 all out.

As has been all too often this season, the Minehead reply got of to a poor start as Jonah Hopkins was well stumped by Nolan for just 10.

Sherring looked to counter attack but after a towering six he, too, succumbed to the bowling of Diaper (3-27) for 12. Josh Hurley was the only batter to offer any resistance as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end as Head (3-27) and Thompson (1-25) made their way through the soft middle order. Hurley eventually fell for a patient 37 and all looked to be lost as the Pirates slipped to 98-8, still requiring 63 for victory.

However, Groves and Richards struck a boundary a piece in a 20-run partnership before Groves fell for 19. Richards then took on the mantle and well supported by Rob Spiers (15 not out), managed to record his highest personal score of 26 before being well caught to leave his side 147 all out - just 14 short of victory.