Players and supporters were celebrating on Saturday after Stogumber completed victory over visitors Carhampton to win the Division Two title with two matches still to play.
This has been a terrific season for captain James Rexworthy and his squad, with a playing record which reads played 16, won 15. The one match they failed to win was called off midway through the game because of heavy rain.
Carhampton put up a spirited fight, however, before going down to a five-wicket defeat with a brilliant hundred by opener Luke Taylor being the highlight of their innings. After losing three quick wickets, two of them in the first over of the match to the fiery Mark Bryant, Taylor dominated the home bowling. He cracked 19 fours and four sixes and shared in vital partnerships with Adrian Priddle and Rob Follett as the visitors reached 209-8 in their 40 overs. Bryant and Lee Penny were the pick of the home bowlers, both taking three wickets.
A target of 210 for victory is normally very achievable on Stogumber’s excellent batting wicket, but accurate bowling by Matt Long and John Tidbald kept openers, Dan Godfrey and Robbie Watts, in check. Gradually runs started to flow but wickets were also beginning to fall. When Eli Hayes joined Rexworthy, the target was eight runs an over, but sensible play between these two – and a number of fiercely hit boundaries – saw victory achieved in the 38th over, with Rexworthy unbeaten on 55.
After the game Rexworthy said he was delighted with how the season had gone and was looking forward to locking horns with teams in Division One. He added: “We know we’ll have more difficult games next year but the spirit in the side is pretty good. It’s a fairly young side and they still have plenty to learn but I’m confident we’ll hold our own.”
Carhampton 209 (L Taylor 129, A Priddle 27, L Penny 3-42, M Bryant 3-59)).
Stogumber 210-5 (J Rexworthy 55 not, R. Watts 41, D Godfrey 40, R Spiers 2-37, R Rich 2-50).
Stogumber 25 points, Carhampton 8 points.
This has been a terrific season for captain James Rexworthy and his squad, with a playing record which reads played 16, won 15. The one match they failed to win was called off midway through the game because of heavy rain.
Carhampton put up a spirited fight, however, before going down to a five-wicket defeat with a brilliant hundred by opener Luke Taylor being the highlight of their innings. After losing three quick wickets, two of them in the first over of the match to the fiery Mark Bryant, Taylor dominated the home bowling. He cracked 19 fours and four sixes and shared in vital partnerships with Adrian Priddle and Rob Follett as the visitors reached 209-8 in their 40 overs. Bryant and Lee Penny were the pick of the home bowlers, both taking three wickets.
A target of 210 for victory is normally very achievable on Stogumber’s excellent batting wicket, but accurate bowling by Matt Long and John Tidbald kept openers, Dan Godfrey and Robbie Watts, in check. Gradually runs started to flow but wickets were also beginning to fall. When Eli Hayes joined Rexworthy, the target was eight runs an over, but sensible play between these two – and a number of fiercely hit boundaries – saw victory achieved in the 38th over, with Rexworthy unbeaten on 55.
After the game Rexworthy said he was delighted with how the season had gone and was looking forward to locking horns with teams in Division One. He added: “We know we’ll have more difficult games next year but the spirit in the side is pretty good. It’s a fairly young side and they still have plenty to learn but I’m confident we’ll hold our own.”
Carhampton 209 (L Taylor 129, A Priddle 27, L Penny 3-42, M Bryant 3-59)).
Stogumber 210-5 (J Rexworthy 55 not, R. Watts 41, D Godfrey 40, R Spiers 2-37, R Rich 2-50).
Stogumber 25 points, Carhampton 8 points.
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