Stogumber took an important step to winning the Division Two title when they beat their closest rivals Roadwater by three wickets on Saturday. In a match of fluctuating fortunes, a thrilling undefeated eighth-wicket partnership of 82 between Eli Hayes and Nick Bennett took the home side to victory.

On a hot, sunny day, Roadwater elected to bat on a typically hard and true Stogumber wicket. They lost two early wickets to the persevering Lee Penny but a typically fine innings by Freddie Wilson steadied the ship. Wilson, who was dropped twice, hit thirteen fours and one six on his way to 70.

The introduction of James Rexworthy into the attack saw wickets begin to fall and only a hard-hitting 47 by Andrew Covey, who was given good support by the tail, pushed Roadwater’s total to 222 for 9 at the end of their 40 overs. Rexworthy finished with the excellent figures of 4-42 off 11 overs.

Stogumber’s opening pair were quickly despatched by Toby Brewer before a fine partnership between Simon Penny and Aaron Webster appeared to be taking them to a comfortable victory. Penny continued his excellent season’s form with a splendid half-century but when he was caught off the bowling of Andrew Covey, wickets started to tumble.

Webster played one attacking shot too many and was caught at mid-off and shortly after the home side had slipped to 144 for 7 with Roadwater firm favourites. But in an exciting finish, Hayes (42 not out) and Bennett (28 not out), mixed aggressive shot-making with admirable caution and fine running between the wickets as they took Stogumber over the line.

Roadwater: F Wilson 70, A Lovey 47, J Rexworthy 4-42, S Penny 2-54, L Penny 3-67).

Stogumber: S Penny 54, A Webster 44, E Hayes 42 not out, A Covey 4-67, T Brewer 2-35).

Stogumber: 25 points, Roadwater 8 points.

An opening spell as blistering as the weather by paceman Mark Bryant shattered Over Stowey’s early batting on Saturday.

Bryant struck twice in his opening over and again in his second over to leave the home side reeling at 0 for 3. He claimed another wicket with the score on 26, but a fifth wicket partnership of 47 by S Pickard and L Villis and further runs by P Simms led to a partial recovery.

However, the return of Bryant into the attack put paid to Over Stowey setting a reasonable target. He took a further three wickets to finish with 7 for 47 off 11 overs and his pace and movement off the wicket was emphasised by the fact that all his victims were clean bowled. Special mention must by made of Lee Penny, whose nine overs cost just 17 runs, and Simon Penny who chipped in with two late wickets.

Stogumber’s reply was centred on a very fine undefeated 64 by Robbie Watts. The opener completely dominated the home bowling attack and he struck nine fours to lead his side to the 127 victory target with just four wickets down. P Rich with 2 for 30 off seven overs was the pick of the Over Stowey bowlers.

Over Stowey 126 (S Pickard 32, P Simms 23, M Bryant 7-47, S Penny 2-11).

Stogumber 127-4 (R. Watts 64 not out, J. Rexworthy 16, P Rich 2-30).

Over Stowey 5 points, Stogumber 26 points.

Visitors Bishops Hull were left to rue inserting Stogumber on a wonderful home batting wicket on Saturday.

Stogumber broke various records en route to a mammoth 381-1 in their alloted 40 overs.After the recalled Stuart Thorne cover drove the pacey Matt Chanter for four early sixes on his way to a breezy 41, the highly promising Dan Godfrey was joined by the experienced Simon Penny. The pair plundered the Bishops Hull bowling to all parts on their way to an unbroken partnership of 278 in 27 overs.

Godfrey hit six sixes in a career best 160 not out and Penny unleashed 14 maximums, including five in successive balls,on his way to a spectacular 159 before the innings closed, much to the relief of Bishops Hull’s bedraggled bowlers.

To their credit, J Osmond with 40 and the remaining Bishops Hull batsmen did their best to chase the daunting target but leg spinner Ben Howe ripped out the heart of the innings with 4-36 as they subsided to 108 all out and victory for Stogumber by the very wide margin of 273 runs.

Stogumber 26 points, Bishops Hull 2 points.

A magnificent undefeated century by Simon Penny helped Stogumber to a massive 161-run victory over visitors Churchinford on Saturday. Stogumber racked up a formidable 327-6 in their 40 overs and, despite a breezy century by M Francombe, the visitors slipped to 166 all out.

The visiting captain, who won the toss and elected to bowl, must have thought his decision was the correct one as Stogumber slipped to 31-3. But Penny, who has now scored 482 league runs this season at an average of 80, was once again in supreme form as he notched 24 fours on his way to 125 not out. Captain James Rexworthy helped Penny lead the recovery with an excellent 83 as they put on 158 for the fourth wicket before Brandon Walsh hammered a thrilling 76 which included nine fours and five sixes.

Apart from Francombe’s century, the visitors had no answer to the pace and bounce of the home side’s opening attack of Mark Bryant and Lee Penny. Bryant finished with the excellent figures of 4-23 in nine overs and that man Simon Penny got into the act again, this time with the ball, taking 2-27 in 5.5 overs.

Stogumber 327-6 (S Penny 125 not out, J Rexworthy 83, B Walsh 76).

Churchinford 166 (M Francombe 100, M Bryant 4-23, S Penny 2-21, L Penny 2-80).

Stogumber 26 points, Churchinford 8 points.