WINSCOMBE'S dismal season continued with a nine-wicket defeat at home to Frome.

WINSCOMBE'S dismal season continued with a nine-wicket defeat at home to Frome.

Electing to bat, Winscombe started well with Matt Lunn and Andrew Lund putting on 31 for the first wicket before Lunn was caught behind for 21. Frome's bowlers then got on top of the Winscombe batsmen as runs became hard to come by.

When Lund was out for a patient 15, Winscombe had fallen to 80-6, but Dave Bailey continued his recent good form as he struck a boundary-laden 47 before his dismissal. With the score on 138, Winscombe's remaining wickets fell, leaving Iain Fraser 13 not out and Winscombe on 138 all out with seven overs remaining.

In reply, Frome started solidly and Winscombe's only success was a smart stumping by Andrew Lund off Iain Fraser as Frome comfortably got home with almost 20 overs to spare.

n Winscombe Crusaders travelled to third placed Bitton. Captain Moore won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Simon Moore and Julian Stephens made a steady start moving the score to 40 after eight overs, but then both were removed in quick succession. More wickets followed as Winscombe were reduced to 55-4.

Jory Cureton continued his good form with a fluent 35, but with his dismissal the Crusaders were reduced to 90-6. Matt Wright (40) and Mark Elvins (30) steadied the ship with a 60-run partnership, moving the score past 150, but a clutter of run-outs and an injury retirement resulted in a disappointing final total of 169 with five overs still to bat.

In reply, Bitton struggled against the opening attack of Jory Cureton (8-4-11-1) and old timer Merv Brean (8-3-18-1), but a 100-run partnership between Chappell (57) and Brown, aided by some dubious umpiring, moved Bitton into a good position.

Mark Elvin's second spell brought two quick wickets and, along with the unlucky Dan Kennedy, he slowed the rate down, but Brown (82 not out) managed to get Bitton home with one over to spare.