BURNHAM-ON-SEA’S cricketers had a mixed start to the second half of the year.

Burnham’s 1st XI picked up their first league win of the season at the ninth attempt, Brad House’s half-century guiding them home against Shapwick & Polden 2nds, but they were brought back down to earth the following day when they were soundly beaten by 10 wickets by Burnham-on-Sea RFC – meaning the rugby club had beaten both the football team and cricket team at their own sports.

July is also synonymous with tennis, and Avenue’s ‘Tennis for Kids’ sessions got off to a successful start, while this year also marked the 30th anniversary of Betty Norman’s triumph in the Great Britain Ladies’ Over-40s at Wimbledon.

“It was my first time playing at Wimbledon, so it was quite daunting – many of the other players played full-time, whereas I worked full-time and played tennis on the side. It was a wonderful experience,” she told the Weekly News.

Garry May was understandably content with the Somerset Rebels’ first half of the season, telling the Weekly News: “Our aim for this year was to make the play-offs, and we’re on course to do that.”

The Rebels, whose star man Jason Doyle had a “miraculous escape” from a crash at the British GP, hit top spot in the SGB Premiership the following week with a stunning win at Wolverhampton.

Also enjoying victory was Burnham & Berrow Golf Club pro Lee Corfield, who kept his cool at a sun-baked Farleigh Golf Club to join the likes of Tony Jacklin and Peter Alliss as winners of The PGA’s Assistants’ Championship.

“I’m very proud to win this trophy – there are some very famous names on there,” he said.

The heatwave continued to scorch the greens and July ended with Brean crowning their club champions, with Ron Edmondson becoming men’s champion for the first time and Lyn Bird retaining her ladies’ title.

Later in the summer, Edmondson teamed up with his twin brother Don to win the Silver Jubilee Cup.

Gary Anderson completed the ‘triple crown’ by adding the World Matchplay trophy to a cabinet also including the World Championship and Premier League titles.

There was T20 cup glory for Burnham-on-Sea, who defeated Lympsham Allsorts in the final, while Jack Luff blasted a century as Lympsham & Belvedere’s league side chased down 246 to beat Ilminster 2nds; his dad Dave followed suit with a ton against Chard 2nds later in the season.

Burnham United and Burnham-on-Sea RFC were both beaten in their season openers, while a tough season for Burnham’s cricketers came to an end with a heavy defeat at Shapwick.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom on the cricket field, however... Lympsham & Belvedere and Huntspill & District each earned creditable mid-table finishes, while Wedmore won Division 6N at a canter.

Also winning league titles were Burnham-on-Sea Bowls Club’s over-60s, who secured their trophy in September, a month which also brought a momentous occasion for the rugby club.

An 889-day wait for an away win was ended with a 31-29 triumph at Minehead Barbarians, leading skipper Ross McKechan to say: “The last 10 minutes were the most tense 10 minutes of rugby I’ve ever played, but we were able to hold on and there were some emotional scenes at the end.”

Nick McKen, who plays in the front row for Burnham, made his return to the England Deaf XV after a 10-year absence, scoring his first try for the national team in their win over Bulgaria.

“Rugby is for everyone – people shouldn’t let any form of disability hold them back,” he said.

“If I can play for England, anyone can.”

Somerset Rebels’ SGB Premiership title dreams were ended by Poole Pirates in a dramatic semi-final, but the Rebels picked themselves up to win the Knockout Cup at the end of the month – the returning Charles Wright playing a starring role.

There was a sting in the tail at the Oaktree Arena, however, as the club decided to drop down a level into the Championship for 2019 as a combination of costs and the need to change race nights again combined to take their toll.

Promoter Debbie Hancock said: “I am gutted and feeling a sense of failure that we can’t bring you the top level speedway, but our ultimate aim has to be the long-term future of Somerset speedway.”

Elsewhere on the track, Puriton motorcycle ace TJ Toms finished his season on a high with a podium spot at Brands Hatch.

Brean ended a 12-year wait for the Breanbury Trophy, finally defeating their Worlebury counterparts in the annual match-up, while Richard May achieved a superb achievement in the Highbridge & District Skittles League.

May hit 104 for Rogues at the Ritz Social Club as they overcame The Lads, at one point looking as though the league record of 119 was in danger.

Burnham United gained an overdue victory as they defeated Yatton & Cleeve United 1-0, but it could yet be a long season for the club, who are in real relegation danger heading into 2019.

The rugby club, on the other hand, are looking up and enter the new year in second as they seek an immediate return to Western Counties level.

READ MORE: Sporting review of the year - part one