BISHOPS Lydeard continued their fine start to the season with an excellent 61-run victory away to Butleigh in the West of England League's Somerset Division.

Having been put into bat, Lydeard made a great start with openers Andy Clark and Andy Sapey putting on 90 for the first wicket.

Clark then fell for 45, leaving Andy Sapey to anchor the innings in what turned out to be reduced to 38-overs-per-team due to rain delays.

Lydeard finished with a total of 238-7, helped largely by a magnificent 107 not out from Sapey, displaying an array of classy shots on both sides of the wicket.

Although wickets seemed to fall at regular intervals, Sapey enjoyed key partnerships of 42 with Justin Burke and of 50 with the impressive Rob Chambers, helping Lydeard post a competitive total.

In reply, Butleigh were determined to keep up with the required run-rate but crucially, lost early wickets. The pace attack of Mark Thomas (2-36) and Justin Hayward (3-41) helped reduce the hosts score to 39-4 and front that point on, further wickets fell at a steady rate.

Mark Agutter (40) and Josh Burkeley (42 not out) provided some resistance before Butleigh were eventually bowled out for 177.

Lydeard are home to Frome on Saturday.

Taunton’S Premier One game away to Corsham was cancelled with out a ball being bowled due to the rain. On Saturday, Taunton host Frocester.