Keal stars as Timberscombe notch crucial win

1:45pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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PAUL Keal enjoyed a dream day with bat and ball to help relegation-threatened Timberscombe to a vital 81-run victory at home to Lydeard St Lawrence in Division Two of the West Somerset Cricket League.

Keal top scored with 61 as his side made 155-5 batting first. His bowling display was even more impressive as he bagged 8-13 to dismiss Lydeard for just 74.

Holford took a big step towards the Division Two title as they defeated Taunton Deane Crusaders in the top of the table clash. Holford batted first and were bowled out for a modest 130. N. Marsh top scored with 30, while Steve Nelson snapped up 4-32 from 12 overs. That total proved too big for Deane as T. Yabsley took 5-21 to bowl them out for 76.

Ned Binding (55) and John Reeves (43 not out) scored the bulk of the runs for West Monkton who were bowled out for 128 away to Casuals - Bob Guest (5-50) did most of the damage with the ball. Steve Greaves finished 61 not out as Casuals reached their target with only two wickets down.

Stogumber continued their relentless charage towards the Division One title with a 118-run victory at home to Huish Champflower. James Weetch was the star with the bat, smashing 126 as the hosts piled up 256-8. Danny Barnes also contributed 59, while Ed Bradbury took up 4-83.

James Rexworthy did much of the damage with the ball, snapping up 5-45 as Huish were all out for 138. Gareth Bellamy top scored with 44 to add to the three wickets he got earlier in the game.

Brompton Ralph slipped further behind Stogumber in the title race as they went down by 57 runs at home to Crowcombe.

The visitors hit 216-5 - Chris Brewer top scored with 79 - before bowling Brompton out for 159. Tommy Gill made 51 for Brompton, while J. Brown picked up 5-36 for Crowcombe.

Lee Hooper scored a crucial 50 as Dulverton were bowled out for 126 at home to Winsford, who could only muster 109 in reply.

On Sunday, Miles Richards hit an unbeaten 94 as Bridgetown reached 186-5 at home to Huish Champflower. The visitors were then dismissed for 88 with Tom Gliddon taking a superb 7-28.

Division Three leaders Taunton CS Radiac and Outcasts 2nds came unstuck in a low-scoring affair away to local rivals Blagdon Hill. The hosts batted first and were restricted to 100-9, but bowled out their visitors for 86 with Alistair Blundell finishing with fine figures of 4-5.

Minehead 3rds are just four points behind with a game in hand in second after a comprehensive eight-wicket win at home to Ashbrittle 2nds. Graham Archer took 5-15 and Bradley Martin 3-16 as Ashbrittle were skittled out for 54. Minehead lost two wickets in persuit of victory which was achieved in 16 overs.

Greg McKay scored an unbeaten 85 and Mickey Masters hit 77 before suffering an injured calf as Taunton A scored an imposing 254 at home to Stoke St Gregory. Derek Packer (56) and Andy Harwood (51) scored half centuries in reply for the visitors but they fell short at 195 all out, McKay taking 4-22.

John Osmand scored 75 in Bishop's Hull's 95-run win at home to Cutcombe.

Stoke St Gregory moved into second place in Division Four thanks to a 85-run victory at home to Brompton 2nds.

Pete Tilley scored an unbeaten 77 as the hosts made 192-5 and then restricted Brompton to 107-9, Simon Willey finishing with 4-14.

Leigh Milton hit 71 as Fitzhead 2nds won by seven wickets at home to Stogumber 2nds, who have slipped to third.

Division Five leaders Churchinford were without a game, but Trull Crusaders remain in second place despite a four-run defeat at home to Curry Rivel. That was despite a fine bowling display from Dave O'Connell who bagged 5-11 including a hat-trick.