An excellent 98 by Simon Penny eased Stogumber to victory in their home match with Cutcombe on Saturday.

Opening the innings in the absence of regular opener Robbie Watts, Penny responded magnificently, hitting 14 sixes and four fours. He was finally out to a brilliant catch by MacFarlane at mid-wicket going for the six runs that would have brought his side victory.

Stogumber had been set 169 and a partnership of 83 between Penny and Aaron Webster (40) dashed any hopes the visitors might have had. Both players were out, however, just before the target was achieved.

Earlier, J. Worrall (60), his first ever half-century, and an undefeated 41 by J. Baker, were the main contributors of Cutcombe’s 168. Mark Bryant bowled with good pace to finish with 4-42 and Simon Penny took 2-29 off his 12 overs.

Stogumber 25 points, Cutcombe 6 points.

A memorable catch by 14-year-old Callum Illman changed the course of Roadwater’s home match with Stogumber on Saturday.

Set 190 to win, Roadwater’s prolific run-scorer Freddie Wilson was in great form. In just 30 balls he hammered a quick-fire 38, including five fours and one six, but from Simon Penny’s first ball of a 12-over spell, he mistimed a sweep shot and Illman took a brilliant diving catch at fine leg.

Two balls later and Petri Cole (25) became Penny’s second victim, thanks to another excellent catch, this time by Brandon Walsh in the deep. Despite a late flurry by Mike Auton (17 not out) and Andy Covey (24), Roadwater fell behind the clock and finished 30 runs short of their target on 160 for 9. Chris Weetch and Penny both returned three wicket hauls.

Earlier, a fine partnership between Aaron Webster (37) and Penny had laid the foundation for Stogumber’s 189. Penny compiled a fine 72, including nine fours and one six, but apart from Jimmy Rexworthy (22) he received little support from the lower order. Freddie Wilson picked up five wickets and Nick Wilson four.

Stogumber: 189 (S Penny 72, A Webster 37, F. Wilson 5-41, N. Wilson 4-35).

Roadwater: 160-9 (F. Wilson 38, P Cole 25, C. Weetch 3-33, S Penny 3-45).

Roadwater 10 points, Stogumber 25 points. 

A swashbuckling innings by captain James Rexworthy took Stogumber 1sts to victory at Bishops Hull in their opening game in Division Two of the West Somerset League.

Rexworthy came in with Stogumber tottering on 71 for 4 in reply to the home side’s 135. The skipper quickly set about the bowling and with 8 fours and one six the total was achieved comfortably with 14 overs to spare. Rexworthy was given solid support by Nick Bennett (18 not out) and earlier Robbie Watts (36) and Simon Penny (20) showed good early season form.

Bishops Hull were always on the back foot when they batted before tea. After losing an early wicket to Mark Bryant, they recovered well to 32 for 1 before the introduction of Chris Weetch changed the course of the game. On a grassy wicket which always favoured the bowlers, he took 3 for 14 in seven accurate overs.

Stogumber 26 points, Bishops Hull 6 points.