Uphill Castle fell 43 runs short in their run chase at Butleigh.

UPHILL Castle travelled to Butleigh in an important game to ensure their survival in the division, but were beaten by 43 runs.

Bowling first, Mitch Fox (10-0-43-0) and Markus Bail (10-4-26-0) restricted Butleigh to only 69 without loss after 20 overs.

The first bowling change brought Kieran Chapman (9-1-36-3) and Keiran Ward (10-3-31-1) into the action.

This paid off when Ward finally made the breakthrough after Durston was caught on the boundary by Disney for a good 49.

Tom Llewellyn (3-0-21-0) and Andy Llewellyn (5-0-28-2) both bowled full and straight, making it difficult for the batsmen to score, and this was shown with two good run outs in quick succession.

Chapman was brought back on to complete his spell and bowled well, restricting the batsmen and also taking three wickets in the process.

After attacking more in the final 15 overs Butleigh reached a respectable, yet reachable score of 224.

Castle were once again on the back foot after both openers were dismissed inside the first five overs. Belcher was unlucky, cutting a slightly wide delivery onto his off stump, while Disney was caught.

This brought Tom Llewellyn (5) and Williams (46) to crease who both were looking comfortable, but Llewellyn was unfortunately bowled in the eighth over by a full toss, leaving Castle struggling on 17-3.

Captain Millard (16) started the comeback with Williams, forging a 41-run partnership , before Millard was caught in the 18th over, leaving Castle 54-4. Andy Llewellyn (26) batted well with Williams, reaching their 50-run partnership at 30 overs.

However, the game was turned around as Butleigh struck with three wickets inside five overs, with Williams, Llewellyn and Fox (11) all departing.

Bail (17 not out) and Ward (23) both dug deep and made sure Castle still had a chance going into the final 10 overs, but Ward was given out after a good piece of fielding.

The game was quickly over after this, with the next two balls resulting in wickets, Holyday and Chapman both being bowled first ball.

Castle put up a good fight after once again losing wickets quickly early on, finishing on 181 all out.

Special mention must go to 14-year-old Tom Llewellyn and 16-year-old Kieran Chapman, who both impressed on their fst team debuts.

THE seconds crashed to defeat against Long Sutton, securing just 11 points.

The visitors piled on 260-7 with Bliss (3-70) and Jobling (2-52) the pick of the bowlers. Andrews hit 125 and Lazarides 65 to leave Uphill a mountain to climb.

In reply, Lazarides struck four times with the ball to leave Castle crushed at 19-7 and heading for a record defeat.

Veteran Dibben (37) and Connor Davidson (16) put on 50 for the eighth wicket as Castle scraped their way to 98 all out.

For his two stumpings and entertaining batting, Autosmart man of the match was Ray Dibben.