Lympsham defeat Long Ashton in a top of the table clash.

LYMPSHAM 1st XI entertained Long Ashton, who were sat in third place in the league just below them.

Skipper Jamie Howson lost the toss and was invited to bat, on a damp wicket. The hosts made the worst possible start, losing openers Dave Luff and Rich Ford cheaply, and when skipper Howson was run out in the 10th over after a mix up with Jason Parsons, things did not look good.

Parsons was joined at the wicket by young Jack Luff, and this pair set about repairing the damage. They moved the score on steadily and when they finally departed in quick succession, a platform had been set, and with Rich Coles, Brendon Summers and Simon Pilgrim bypassing the outfield, a reasonable target of 175 was set as the home side were bowled out in the last of their 45 overs.

In reply, the visitors found opening bowlers Pilgrim and Summers in good form. The openers were replaced by Andy Russ and Lympsham Concrete man of the match Jack Luff, and with seven wickets down and not many on the scoreboard, a Lympsham win looked a formality.

But the visitors’ tail-enders Storey and Maud had other ideas, and with Maud finding the boundary regularly, a few nerves began to show.

The home side kept their heads and when Summers caught Maud brilliantly on the boundary the tail was swept up, and Long Ashton were finally dismissed for just 132 in the 40th over.

This match was one of very few played in the league due to the bad weather, and a lot of credit must be paid to groundsman Dave Luff.

? Lympsham Sunday Development XI hosted Draycott and skipper Tom Gooding lost the toss and was invited to bat.

Opening batsmen Craig Scriven (11) and Mark Skidmore (6) made a steady start, and when dismissed, Trust Inheritance man of the match Gooding (51) and Jack Luff (12) batted steadily.

When Luff was dismissed the remaining batsmen failed to support Gooding, despite encouraging cameos from Jed Kerkin (11) and Max Gregory (9), and the innings ran out of steam with the home side being dismissed for a disappointing 129.

In reply, the visitors dominated the bowling, and despite good spells from Liam Morris (1-9), Jack Luff (1-16) and Tom Gooding (2-9), Draycott reached their victory target in just 32 overs, losing only four wickets, with Hathaway scoring 51 and Veal 54.

The young Lympsham side can be proud of their efforts against a more experienced side, and need to carry their excellent team spirit forward into next week’s encounter with Bristol Civil Service.