Below-par fielding and bowling display costs Uphill as Winscombe claim victory.

WINSCOMBE came out on top in the local derby against Uphill Castle following a below par performance from the visitors.

Having asked Winscombe to bat, Uphill failed to take advantage of helpful conditions and Winscombe, to their credit, made a respectable 188, greatly assisted by some wayward bowling and dropped catches.

Opening the bowling, Webster was unlucky not to make an early breakthrough as he beat the bat on several occasions. Kimmins bowled a tight spell of seven overs and was backed up by George Chapman, who made a confident first team debut.

Cureton, Patel and Ward all made valuable contributions which allowed Winscombe to reach 188 before their innings closed in the 46th over.

Uphill’s innings got off to a poor start, losing Williams and Belcher with the score on five. Wickets fell regularly and, with the score on 78-6, Uphill faced being skittled out for less than 100.

An entertaining partnership of 47 between Cox and Dibben gave Uphill some hope but both fell within the space of three runs and Uphill’s chance of a win went with them as the innings subsided to 136 all out.

The man of the match award went jointly to Cox and Dibben.

* UPHILL Castle 2nd XI entertained Huntspill on a glorious sunny day, although the ground was still damp after the recent rain.

New captain Tim Holt won the toss and inserted Huntspill. A tight opening spell from Holt and Bliss restricted the visitors and resulted in two wickets for the Castle, Holt having the dangerous Eley caught at mid-wicket by Loud after some fine bowling to a set plan.

Huntspill found the going tough against some good accurate Castle bowling and youngster James Holt took two quick wickets, whilst Leech bowled well without much luck.

Wickets fell steadily throughout the Huntspill innings and they finished on 175 all out in the last over, Bliss ending with three wickets, and man of the match Loud bowling well at the death to claim a wicket.

In reply, Castle started with Hodder batting steadily and Bliss playing his normal quickfire game. He scored 10 but was bowled having made a big swing at a full length delivery. Hodder then batted well in a partnership with Martin Palmer, who scored 24, then with Ash Doyle, who scored 20. Hodder was eventually out having just made a solid 50, pulling a full toss to square leg where he was caught.

Despite losing a couple of wickets, Castle were guided home by a lovely knock from Matt Loud who scored an unbeaten 31, mixing aggression with good watchful defence. James Holt was there at the end with Loud and Castle won by four wickets in the 42nd over, securing a valuable 35 points in the process.