Lympsham fell short by 47 runs at home to Blagdon.

LYMPSHAM hosted Blagdon under the captaincy of youngster Jack Luff, who lost the toss and were asked to field first.

Lympsham struck early with Simon Cowgill (2-52) removing opener Coles with the score on six. Other opener Board adopted a more attacking style, but with Simon Pilgrim (3-44) taking three quick wickets including Board, left the visitors on 57-4.

Cowgill picked up another wicket, but a quick 50 from Hemming and some late lower batting saw the away side start to rebuild.

Adam Mickelwright came into the attack and took two key wickets before Sophie Luff came on and bowled tightly, but Lympsham could not deny Burroughs his 50 in the last over, meaning Blagdon reached 244-9 off their 45 overs.

After tea, Lympsham openers Dave Luff (23) and Rich Drew took advantage of some erratic opening bowling from one end to build a solid opening partnership before Drew was caught behind for eight off the bowling of Berkley.

Berkley then removed Tom Gooding without troubling the score, which brought Jack Luff (26) to the crease to join Luff senior. This partnership was also cut short with Luff senior be adjudged lbw leaving Lympsham 56-3 in the 10th over.

However, this brought Jason Parsons (43) to the crease who, together with Luff, put on a solid partnership off 77, until Luff was caught at square leg.

Hayden Tuttiett supplied some quick fire hitting before Berkley returned and removed him. Parsons was then caught which led to the collpase of the Lympsham lower order. This led to Berkley removing Sophie Luff, Liam Morris, Cowgill, Pilgrim and Micklewright in his 4.2 over spell, finishing with figures of 7-22 of his 11.2 overs, leaving Lympsham a disappointing 197 all out.

LYMPSHAM

D Luff lbw Mail 23

R Drew c Burroughs b Berkley 8

T Gooding lbw Berkley 0

J Luff c Coles b Waters 26

J Parsons c Board b Loughran 43

H Tuttiett c Board b Berkley 25

S Luff b Berkley 0

L Morris b Berkley 10

S Cowgill b Berkley 5

S Pilgrim b Berkley 4

A Micklewright not out 0

Extras 53

Total 197

Bowling: S Pilgrim 12-1-44-3; S Cowgill 12-2-52-2; J Luff 7-3-24-0; A Mickelwright 5-0-35-2; S Luff 5-0-30-0; L Morris 4-0-47-1.

The 2nd XI played at Carsons/Mangotsfield in Bristol. Captain Rod Simpson won the toss for the first time this year and decided to bat.

Wickets were lost on a fairly regular basis until 14-year-old Felix Grandfied joined the experienced Simon Bailey, who had opened the batting. The partnership blossomed and remained unbroken until the end of the innings as Lympsham ended on 168-6 after 45 overs.

Window Merchants man of the match Bailey carried his bat and went on to achieve his maiden century, 102 not out, with two balls of the innings to spare. This landmark would not have been achieved without Grandfield, who finished on 14 not out, showing an excellent temperament and good technique.

In reply, Carsons batted well and despite some promising bowling by Ben Evans, Tom Ferns and Jed Kerkin, the opposition achieved the target with 11 overs to spare for the loss of three wickets.