Somerset Cricket League Division Two

Burnham 158-8 beat North Newton 151 by seven runs

BURNHAM continued their impressive run of form with a seven run victory over North Newton in a rain-reduced game on Saturday.

Defending 158-8 in 30 overs after Rob Driver had scored 50, Burnham bowled Newton out for 151 - with Driver again impressing with 3-31.

Burnham lost Harris (1) and Bloodworth (13) early in proceedings as they fell to Barrington (1-43) and Barham (1-27) respectively.

But Driver continued his rich vein of form with another half-century to push the Burnham score up into three figures.

He soon became one of Jenkins’ (5-23) five victims, but Ed Booth (19) and Mike Green (17) helped Burnham to a competitive total.

Burnham set about chasing early wickets and they soon got what they were looking for when Driver accounted for both Barrington and A Jenkins.

Jay Stone held the North Newton innings together with a well-constructed 73 not out, but wickets were tumbling at the other end as Burnham pressed for the win.

T Gadsby added 33, but when he was dismissed, Burnham could smell victory.

J Cook, M Barham, P Jenkins and T Sparkes all afiled to reach double figures, as James Annison got in on the act with 2-29.

Darren Aston (1-48) also claimed a wicket to put the hosts in a strong position.

With seven runs needed and just one wicket remaining, Green dismissed B Sellick (0) to fire Burnham to hard-earned win by the narrowest of margins.