MIDDLEZOY slipped to a 75-run defeat at the hands of leaders Taunton Deane 2s in the Premier Division on Saturday.

Put in to bat, the Deane innings featured a fine, unbeaten 111 from Luke Williams after Grant Purchase took 3-37 in nine overs.

The Deane posted 282-6 but Middlezoy made a disastrous start to their reply, crumbling to 41-4 with Jason Squire taking the top three wickets to fall.

Joe Lear (33) set about rebuilding the innings with George Musgrave (59) but they were far behind the clock and, despite a fine unbeaten half-century from Ben Warren, they finished on 207-9.

Shapwick & Polden 2s were lucky to pick up a rain-affected draw at second-placed Street.

Batting first, the visitors made a steady start but, after Dan Rudge fell for 42, the innings fell away to 147 all out as Mike King took 5-21 off eight.

With the reply reduced by rain, Ben Trotman did his best for Street, hitting 60, but when stumps were drawn after 24 overs they were also on 147-6 and had to settle for a draw.

In Division 2, Bridgwater 3s were awarded a draw at home to high-flying Butleigh, who opened up with 260-3.

Seth Higgins was unbeaten on 104 and Dan Durston hit 54 and Alex Drew 61 as Butleigh set a challenging total.

Bridgwater’s reply was looking promising as Tim Netto (63), Billy Vickery (29no) and Dan Andison (39no) were making good progress at 166-3 when the rains came.

Rain ruined Kilve’s visit to Lympsham & Belvedere as play was called to a halt with the home side on 72-3.

North Newton could do nothing to stop unbeaten Trull from claiming the Division 3 title, slipping to a six-wicket defeat.

Batting first, the Newts lost wickets regularly, especially to Brian Stone who ended with the fine figures of 4-4 off nine.

James Stone top scored for the Newts with an unbeaten 68 and Miles Barham added a late 22 to take the closing total to 165-8.

When Trull replied, Miles Barham delayed the celebrations, taking 2-31, but Keith Ford (66no) and Stone (23no) saw them to the title.

Bridgwater Mercury:

ALL-ROUND DISPLAY: Miles Barham scored 22 and took 2-31 for North Newton against Trull. Pic: Steve Richardson

In Division 6N, Shapwick & Polden 3s’ faint promotion hopes faded away with a 125-run defeat at home to Churchill.

The visitors posted 217-3 after openers Ian Chadwick (80) and Jack Masters (82) went off at a pace.

Shapwick were all out for 92 as as Kyran Gale 3-16 and Oli Masters 2-11 dominated and they were all out for 92.

Wembdon 3s were looking good on 133-2 at Temple Cloud when the rain put an end to play.

Craig Savage was unbeaten on 56 in partnership with Harry Young (25no) after Max Syvret opened with 29.

Rain probably saved the day for Middlezoy 2s in Division 6S as they were floundering at home to Taunton 3s, who posted 237-8.

Laurance Burns (86) and Stewart Cooper (39) top-scored for the visitors, while Matt Osborne (3-43) was the pick of the bowlers.

Nathan Peppard (39) and Ben Robinson (22) put Middlezoy in a promising position but when they went, wickets tumbled cheaply and, at 95-6, they were staring defeat in the face.

But the rain intervened.

Spaxton were looking good for a victory at home to Bridgwater Pointers when rain forced a draw.

The home side reached 182-6 after 35 overs before declaring after Dan Rich (76) and James Venton (52) put on 142 for the first wicket.

Andy Wood bowled well to take 3-29 for Pointers.

The visitors started well, Matthew Duckering (33) and Joe Redman (38) featuring in an opening stand of 77 but as the wickets began to fall, so did the rain and Pointers were on 105-6 when stumps were drawn.

North Petherton’s promotion hopes were hit as they lost at rivals Taunton Deane 3s by nine wickets.

Pethy posted 182-8, thanks mainly to a fine, unbeaten 87 by Farran Gregory and a late 24 from skipper Thomas Smith.

The Deane’s reply was emphatic with Toby Stone (58), Dan Parsons (83no) and Charles Axon (27no) making light of the run chase.