Lympsham extended their lead at the top of Division 4 with a rain-affected game against Curry Rivel.

LYMPSHAM entertained Curry Rivel looking to extend the gap at the top of Division 4.

Lympsham started patiently, with the opening partnership of Dave Luff and Jamie Howson looking strong as they put on 61 before Luff was caught behind for 37.

Tom Gooding joined Howson and the pair put on 43 before Gooding was caught behind for 12 and two balls later Howson was bowled for 54, leaving Jack Luff and Hayden Tuttiett to rebuild.

But when Tuttiett was bowled and Sam Poole was stumped, the home side were 177-5 with eight overs to go. Luff brought up a well-deserved 50, with Gary Hutton showing good support at the other end.

Lympsham Concrete man of the match Jack Luff was finally caught for 72 off just 55 balls as Lympsham finished on a respectable 225-9.

After tea, Jack Luff clean bowled Tilley and Poole picked up the new batsman caught at gully. With two wickets for new signing Matt Mitchell (2-25), the visitors were 75-4.

The introduction of Andy Russ (2-24) worked wonders as his first ball was caught by Luff junior at long-on. He picked up another a couple overs later to restrict Curry Rivel to 127-6.

With Gooding (1-7) and Luff (2-13) both picking up a wicket each, the score had reached 148-8 before the game was washed out in a matter of minutes.

This result saw Lympsham pick up 30 points and with other results going in their favour, they remain top of Division 4 by 48 points.

LYMPSHAM Sunday Development XI captain Tom Gooding won the toss and put North Petherton into bat.

The opening pair of L Irish (42) and S Briffett (20) put on 55 before Matt Mitchell (1-32) got the breakthrough. This brought T Williams (80) to the crease who started to hit the Lympsham bowlers to all corners of the ground.

Lympsham continued to take wickets with Jules Froud (1-46); Adam Micklewright (1-25); Craig Scriven (2-25) and Tom Gooding (1-19), but North Petherton were still in control on 188 off 29 overs.

The introduction of Jack Luff (4-15) took the final four wickets, which included a hat-trick to stem the flow of runs and saw North Petherton all out for 221.

In reply, Lympsham lost openers G Hutton (7) and Felix Grandfield (4) by the fourth over. Max Gregory (34) and Jack Luff put on a splendid partnership of 86 before Gregory was caught near the boundary.

Liam Morris joined Luff and they pushed the score to 136 before Luff was caught for a superb 80. Gooding (29 not out) joined Morris (62 not out) to see Lympsham over the finishing line.

Lympsham Livery man of match shared between Jack Luff and Liam Morris.