MIDDLEZOY have moved out of the Shrubbery Hotel Somerset League Premier Division relegation zone, with a convincing victory at home to fellow strugglers Winscombe on Sunday.

Putting the visitors in to bat, Grant Purchase and George Musgrave struck immediately, reducing Winscombe to 6-3.

Despite a fine 55 from Jack Fraser, Musgrave demolished the visitors’ line-up, ending with 7-51 off nine.

With Purchase taking 2-15, Winscombe were all out for 91.

When Zoy replied, it was not all plain sailing as Jory Cureton took 3-32 but Musgrave (28no) completed a fine all-round performance to see them home.

The victory moves Middlezoy to fourth-from-bottom, 20 points away from Shapwick & Polden 2s.

On Saturday, Shapwick 2s’ relegation battle continued with a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Wellington.

Batting first, Shapwick slumped to 44-5, losing wickets to Jack Beal and Luke Desave.

Skipper Steve Spencer rescued the innings with a fine 52 while Tom Smith (30) and Callum Harvey (22) ensured the total reached 173.

Assured batting from Wellington’s Sam Whitefield (53no) and M. Bray (30) saw the visitors home with seven wickets to spare.

In Division 2, Bridgwater 3s picked up a thrilling one-wicket win at relegation-threatened Long Sutton.

Put in to bat, Sutton began solidly, reaching 100-2 (Chris Vigar 37, Greg Edwards 29) but the introduction of Keiran Windsor brought about a collapse and he went on to take 6-19 off seven as eight wickets fell for 41 runs.

When replying, Bridgwater ran up against Ed Sparrow (3-15 off 9) and Andy Hird (4-42 off 9) as they tumbled to 113-9, 28 behind.

But the day was saved by No 11 Matt Hubbard (17no) and Harrison Buller (11no), who saw them to victory.

There was something of a thriller at Kilve in Division 3 when the home side ended four runs short of a famous victory against Ilminster 2s.

Put in to bat, Ilminster openers Chris Warry (100no) and Tim Towill (108) looked to have given their side a winning total. However, Deane Marchent (3-27 in 6) and his fellow bowlers kept the scoring rate within reasonable bounds as Ilminster closed on 267-3 off 45.

Kilve lost three early wickets but Chris James (98) and skipper Carl Clemenson (69) kept them in the hunt. Sam James added 20 and Josh Calder a late 20no but it was just not enough as the overs ran out on 264-9.

North Newton stayed in touch with the top two following a six-wicket win at home to Watchet.

The visitors were all out for 126 as Miles Barham took 3-32 off 9 and James White 2-14 off 9.

When Newton replied, Josh Cook opened with 23 and James Stone’s unbeaten 54 saw them to a fine win.

Wembdon 2s entertained Division champions Trull and felt the full force with a seven-wicket defeat.

Electing to bat, Wembdon were demolished by the bowling of Craig Lawton, whose nine overs yielded 7-21, and Greg Walters (3-13) as they were all out for just 39.

Will Pope took 2-13 but Trull came home with seven wickets in hand.

Long Sutton 2s won a relegation lifeline in Division 6S when they beat Bridgwater Pointers by just three runs.

Put in to bat, Sutton lost wickets regularly with Alex Lyons top scoring with 27 in a total of 141, Jake Sweeting and Mike Luckes taking two wickets apiece.

When Pointers replied, George Loker (2-37) and Richard Yandle (3-20) took wickets early on.

Elliot Coombs hit a useful 33, Freddie Brewer 23 and Jake Sweeting 21no late on but Alex Lyons (4-28) came on to spoil the fightback.

With Middlezoy 2s recorded a fine, eight-wicket win at mid-table Curry Rivel.

Put in to bat, Curry’s batting was disastrous with only Jez Action’s 42 being a double figure score out of a total of 77.

Ed Peacock (3-20), James Brigers (2-13) and Ben Pomeroy (2-22) did the damage.

Zoy’s winning reply was led by Nathan Peppard’s 47no.

North Petherton 2s lost by nine wickets at home to Sparkford after they were all out for 131. No 7 Jack Rees top-scored with 31 as Joel Enticott and Ed Buxton took three wickets apiece.

When Sparkford replied, Buxton (46no) and Jan Den Hartog (56no) saw them home in 28 overs.

Spaxton beat Taunton 3s by 42 runs in a low-scorer.

Batting first, Spaxton’s innings was held together by Dan Rich’s half-century and later contributions from Adam Richards (19) and Wayne Pither (17) as they posted 139.

Stewart Cooper took 5-20 in eight.

While Alistair Hallows (32) and Zach Denton (24) were at the wicket, Taunton looked favourites but Spaxton stuck to their task and Richard Baker (3-26) and John Bishop (3-17) initiated a collapse to 97 all out.

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Bridgwater Mercury:

HALF CENTURY: Holford batsman Will Read. Pic: Steve Richardson

A SPARKLING unbeaten century from Taylor Buller led Holford to a vital victory over title rivals West Monkton in the big game at the top of Division 1 in the West Somerset League.

Buller struck 113 not out and was well backed up by Will Read’s unbeaten 52 as Holford made 261-5, John Salter taking 2-50.

Karl Peatfield fired 81 in response as the hosts gave it a good go, but they fell 14 runs short as the innings was wrapped up on 247.

Holford now hold a commanding 59-point lead at the top of the table.