NORTH Petherton II were seven-run victors over Bridgwater Sports in Division Eight South of the Somerset Cricket League thanks to a strong bowling effort.

T Smith (3-24) and E Stone (3-50) joined forces to restrict Sports to 157-9 at the end of 45 overs, after J Blackburn (59) had earlier carried his side to 164-9 batting first.

E Howes (3-29), B Winter (2-31) and J Winter (2-39) were all in the wickets for Sports, while M Winter’s half century took his side close.

But they were unable to complete the job and finished up agonisingly short.

Elsewhere in the division, Wembdon Academy won another tightly contested game by just seven runs thanks to a superb all-round performance from S Hughes.

Hughes scored 49 with the bat before taking 3-29 to help Wembdon defend 165.

J Dunster (4-40) was the pick of the bowlers for Wembdon as they bowled Zoy out for 158, despite 59 from J Blackburn.

Spaxton had an afternoon to forget as they were thrashed by ten wickets at Wellington III.

Batting first, Spaxton were all out for 51, leaving Wellington a straight forward chase.

In Division One, Bridgwater A slipped to a three wicket defeat at Temple Cloud, despite an unbeaten century from A Hewson (114no).

Bridgwater posted a competitive 215-6 batting first, with B Whitemore also scoring 61, but Cloud crept over the line with three wickets to spare, despite three wickets from Mike Skidmore (3-33) and two from L Stephenson (2-34).

Middlezoy first team had to settle for a draw with Bagborough as rain ended proceedings early.

Zoy scored 234-6 batting first, with S Ranson (84no) and G Musgrave (73) leading the way – in reply, Bagborough were 200-6 when the rain came.

In Division Two, North Newton fell seven runs short at Burnham, despite 73 not out from Jay Stone.

Chasing 159 to win, Newton were all out for 151.

Earlier, P Jenkins had taken 5-23 to help restrict Burnham to 158-8.

B Stone was in top form for Wembdon as they beat Chard A by 77 runs.

Stone (84no), Will Pope (61no) and M Weston 50 joined forces to fire Wembdon to 147-3 batting first, before S Edmunds (3-27) kept Chard to 170-7.