Round-up of Bear Flat Cricket Club’s matches – Saturday 18th July.

Bear Flat 1st XI stretched their lead at the top of Somerset League Division Four to 12 points thanks to a seven-wicket victory in their derby at struggling Purnell 1st XI on Saturday 18th July.

The Bears, who collected 34 points from their success in Paulton, pulled further clear of second-placed Holford 1st XI, who managed 31 points from a seven-wicket triumph at Kilmington & Stourton 1st XI.

Purnell – who have recorded just two league wins this year – opted to bat against Bear Flat but were restricted to 189-9 in their 40 overs.

However, the hosts made a decent start, with openers Dec Redwood (39) and Sam Church (53) putting on 69 for the first wicket.

But of the remaining batters, only Sarvesh Rajagopal (25), Will Smith (19 not out) and Phil Gregory (18) got into double figures. There were 23 extras.

Purnell found themselves 151-4 but then lost four wickets for 14 runs, Matt Tomes-Smith finishing with a superb haul of 6-22 from eight overs.

The Bears’ reply got off to a dreadful start, with opener James Ebdon sent back for a duck.

But his fellow opener Jake Steele was joined by Rob Wilson and they piled on 160 for the second wicket, the partnership broken when the former was run out for 45.

Wilson went on to make 114 not out – with three sixes and 16 fours – from 88 balls as the visitors eased to 190-3 with 11 overs remaining, Freddie Lenihan and Finley Jones taking a wicket apiece for Purnell.

Simon Porter smashed a century in vain as Bear Flat 2nd XI lost by three wickets – off the final ball – when they received Winscombe 2nd XI in Somerset League Division Six North on 18th July.

The Bears clocked up 258-9 in their 40 overs at the Ken Wilcox Cricket Ground in Peasedown St John after being told to bat.

Only two home players got into double figures – but they shared a massive stand.

Number two Sam Homan scored 85 and number three Simon Porter hit 135, both eventually falling to three-wicket Guy Coe.

Noah Shoesmith snapped up 4-23 from eight overs for the North Somerset team, who gave away 19 extras.

Promotion-chasing Winscombe also had a centurion, number three Rob Shepherd. He cracked an undefeated 135 in the response to steer the visitors to 259-7 from 40 overs, Homan pocketing 3-30 off six overs.

The Bears have now lost five of their last six matches and are in sixth place in the table.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Saturday 25th July:

Somerset League:

Division Four: Bear Flat 1st XI v North Perrott 2nd XI (at The Glasshouse Playing Fields, 1.30pm).

Division Six North: Cheddar 2nd XI v Bear Flat 2nd XI (at Sharpham Road, 1.30pm).