ANOTHER terrific innings by Simon Penny laid the foundation for Stogumber’s 63-run victory over third-placed Lydeard St Lawrence on Saturday in Division Two of the West Somerset Cricket League.

Penny finished just six runs short of a well-deserved century as he helped the home side to a formidable 276-3. On an excellent Stogumber wicket, the home side found runs hard to come by in the early stages against fine accurate bowling by Nathan Hill and visiting captain Simon Cattell, with Hill conceding just 15 runs in his first eight overs. Dan Godfrey (35) was the first to go when he sliced an attempted pull to fine leg in the 18th over with the total on 69. Penny then joined Robbie Watts and these two put on 118 for the second wicket, with the ball disappearing to all parts of the ground in the latter part of their partnership.

Watts finished with an excellent 78 but the tempo continued with the arrival of Arron Webster (30). Webster’s departure signalled the start a magnificent burst of scoring by Penny, who ended his undefeated innings of 94 with four 6s. A total of 66 runs came in the last five overs, a telling factor in the final result.

Lydeard’s reply was centred on a fine half-century by Mark Hannaford. Nathan Hill hit a brisk 33 at the top of the order and there were useful contributions by Steve Rucklidge and Dave Hill. When Hannaford departed after his splendid 55, however, the innings subsided to 213 all out in the 39th over. Occasional bowler Nick Bennett was the pick of the bowlers. He finished with 4-45 off 7.3 overs and certainly showed his skipper that perhaps he should turn his arm over on a more regular basis.

Stogumber 276-3 (S Penny 94 not, R Watts 78, D Godfrey 35, A Webster 30). Lydeard St Lawrence 213 (M Hannaford 55, D Hill 38, S Rucklidge 37, N Hill 33, N Bennett 4-45, B Walsh 2-20, S Penny 2-63). Stogumber 26 points, Lydeard St Lawrence 6.