Somerset Cricket League Division Seven

Burnham 2nd XI 187-2 beat Taunton Deane Crusaders 185-5 by eight wickets

ANDY Ashfold and Phil White led Burnham 2nd XI to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Taunton Deane Crusaders on Saturday.

Ashfold cruised his way to way an unbeaten 61, while at the other end, White scored 54 not out, as Burnham successfully chased 186 inside 43 overs.

Pete Gaylard (46) also played his part for the home side, who stay second in Division Seven.

Earlier, two wickets apiece from Paul Grant (2-49) and L Gowan (2-31) helped restrict Crusaders to 185-5 from their 45 overs, thanks mainly to J Eamer (43) and J Arscott (41).

Andy Birkett (1-44) was also in the wickets for Burnham.

In reply, Burnham 2nd XI were rarely troubled and a solid opening stand between Ashfold and Gaylard provided a solid foundation for the chase.

Gaylard fell four short of his half-century to the bowling of J Ponte (1-31), before G Batt (1) was dismissed by P Batstone shortly after.

But White joined forces with Ashfold to blunt the Deane attack and drive Burnham towards a commanding win.

Ashfold went to 50 in comfortable fashion, while White found the boundary at regular intervals.

The winning runs came from the final ball of the 43rd over, to five Burnham 2nd XI a ninth win of the season.