Cheddar 162-3 Winscombe 159-7. Cheddar recorded an emphatic victory over Winscombe at Sharpham Road, securing a league double over their local rivals.

Cheddar 162-3 Winscombe 159-7

Cheddar recorded an emphatic victory over Winscombe at Sharpham Road, securing a league double over their local rivals.

Home captain Terry Clark invited the visitors to bat first and he experimented with a new combination of bowlers to open the attack.

Scott Finnegan and Stevie Andrews bowled with accuracy and venom, but with little luck, as Matt Lunn and Andrew Lund in particular, survived a number of half chances and the occasional missed catch.

Finnegan's spell with the new ball was exceptional as he reeled off 11 consecutive overs of left arm swing for just 17 runs. Somehow the wickets he deserved eluded him, but the pressure he built on the opposition was to prove decisive. Lund faced 90 balls for his 37 and when he was first out he had used up 30 of his team's allotted 45 overs and the total had reached just 75.

Che Moore replaced Andrews to claim this first wicket and Clark then turned to the leg spin of Ollie Norris from the other end in an attempt to take the pace off the ball as Winscombe were forced to try and up the run rate. His plan was rewarded as Norris deceived Lunn (40) who was well caught by Friar Sims.

Norris soon accounted for both Hunt (17) and Bailey (26), finishing with 3-49 from his 11 overs while Andrews (3-37) returned to ensure the visitors' total never gained any real impetus.

Cheddar's Norris and Hunter opened the innings and quickly saw off the new ball attack. Neither looked in trouble until Hunter (31) played across a straight one with the total at 65.

Sims went after a rash shot, bringing Andy Veal into the fray. He helped Norris to progress serenely past 50 for the fifth time this season. Veal (23) was bowled with just 15 needed for victory.

It was fitting that with three overs to spare Norris stroked the winning runs. His unbeaten 84 contained nine boundaries and was beautifully paced to see his team comfortably home and up to second place in the table.

Saturday's final fixture is at home to Frome and whatever the result it promises to be a special day as Aussie guest Luke Hunter makes his final appearance for the club before returning home.