Banwell & Churchill overtook Bishops Lydeard as they claimed second spot in Division 4 of the Somerset League.

HEAVY showers just before Banwell & Churchill’s match against Bishops Lydeard delayed the start, and both captains agreed on a 35-overs-a-side game.

Batting first, Jermaine Jones was soon run out, before Bryant and Carter steadied the innings. A collapse saw Carter bowled for 14, soon followed by Gayle, Biggs and Adams, as Banwell were reduced to 57-5.

Bryant was eventually dismissed for a solid 25, while skipper Diver made 14 before he was out. Bush (14) and the entertaining Bebber (27) took the score past 100.

Brooks and last man Foukes scored important runs as the Banwell innings finished on 138-9, with Brooks on 15 not out.

After a superb tea, Banwell & Churchill took to the field knowing that only tight bowling and clean fielding would suffice and continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Brooks and Bush opened up the attack and Bush was first to claim a wicket as the dangerous Skuse was brilliantly caught by Adams.

Brooks followed this up by bowling Parkman and finished a great spell with 1-16 off his opening six overs, while Bush took 1-22 off his six.

Mark Biggs and Guy Foukes replaced the opening attack and Biggs took the next two wickets to reduce Lydeard to 57-4 at the halfway mark.

The drama started as Adams, Carter and Diver all spilled tough chances as Lydeard edged closer to the 100 mark. As Banwell & Churchill pushed again, Biggs and Jones combined to take four wickets in as many balls, both unlucky with their hat-trick bids, as Lydeard stumbled and lost their last six wickets for just seven runs.

Banwell & Churchill managed to bowl Lydeard out for 97 and win the game by 41 runs, picking up a crucial 31 points in their promotion push.

Biggs ended up with 5-25 off 8.4 overs, Jones 3-15 off three, while Bebber picked up the man of the match accolade.

This fifth win on the bounce puts Banwell & Churchill in a strong position at the halfway point of the season, as they overtook Lydeard into second place with a game in hand are only 16 points behind leaders Trull.

On Saturday, Banwell host Lydford with a 2pm start.