Stogumber maintained their unbeaten league record on Saturday when they defeated Bagborough by four wickets in their final match of the season. In a pulsating game, they achieved victory with just three balls remaining.

The only disappointment of the day for Stogumber was the dismissal of Simon Penny when he was just 33 runs short of completing 1,000 league runs for the season. Penny has been in tremendous form and Saturday was no exception. He looked odds on favourite to achieve his target when, to everyone’s surprise and to the disappointment of his colleagues, he was out caught behind for 95. Nevertheless, he can look back on a terrific season in which he finished with an awesome average of 87.5.

Home side Bagborough batted first and an excellent 69 by Alan Dingle helped them to 207-9 at the end of their 40 overs. Although their ground fielding was excellent, a number of dropped catches did not help Stogumber’s cause. Skipper James Rexworthy finished with 3-16 in his five overs.

Penny and Robbie Watts gave the visitors a sound start and Robbie Garwood batted well for his 21, but the dismissal of Penny with the score on 165 led to an exciting finish.  When Nick Bennett joined Eli Hayes at the wicket 42 runs were still required with just five overs remaining. Sensible batting by these two ensured the visitors reached their target in the final over, with Hayes and Bennett both unbeaten on 17 and 24 respectively.

This was probably Stogumber’s toughest game of the season and credit must be given to the home side for their accurate bowling and exceptional fielding.

Bagborough 207-9: (A Dingle 69, J. Dingle 30, J Rexworthy 3-16). Stogumber 208-6 (S Penny 95, N Bennett 24, A Dingle 3-69).

Bagborough 8 points. Stogumber 26 points.       

Division Two champions Stogumber gained their easiest victory of the season away to an eight-man Churchinford on Saturday.

Electing to bat, the depleted home side had no answer to Stogumber’s opening attack of Lee Penny and Mark Bryant who got both swing and movement off the wicket. Not one of the Churchinford side reached double figures as Penny finished with 3-16 off nine overs and Bryant 2-8 off seven overs.

A fine catch by captain James Rexworthy off the bowling of Penny accounted for the first wicket and it was a procession from there on. Rexworthy took a wicket with his first ball and the home side finished with just 36, of which 14 were extras!

Despite making several changes to the batting order, Stogumber claimed an easy six wicket win, with Dan Godfrey scoring 23. Victory was achieved in just 5.4 overs, Penny claiming the winning runs with a thumping on-drive which sped to the boundary.

Churchinford 36 (L Penny 3-16, M Bryant 2-8, J Rexworthy 2-4).

Stogumber 40-4 (D Godfrey 23).

Churchinford 2 points. Stogumber 26 points.