West of England Premier League
Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Ilminster 1st XI 196 all out beat Taunton 1st XI 159 all out by 37 runs

A FINE performance from Ilminster’s bowling attack gave them a 37-run home victory against Taunton, moving the hosts above their opponents and into fourth in the Premier 2 (Bristol/Somerset) table.

Ilminster won the toss and chose to bat, with openers Louis Kraucamp (27) and George Hayward (9) making a solid enough start before both fell to Justin Burke.

Charlie Vickery (38) and skipper Sam Spurway (20) kept the score ticking along, before Jonny Warry hit an unbeaten 41 (having made 35no in Ilminster’s win over Yatton the weekend before).

Taunton bowler Blake Coburn tore through the hosts’ middle order, though, taking 5-19, before Harry Montacute’s 19 helped Ilminster post 196 all out off 49.4 overs.

Montacute then dealt an early blow to Taunton’s reply, dismissing county captain Tom Abell (4), only for Hugh Kelly (42) and Dan Quick (24) to hit back.

Undeterred, Ilminster’s attack picked off their targets, and despite William Abell’s 46, Taunton were all out for 159 in 46.4 overs, giving Ilminster 18 points.

James Thompson took 3-28, Vickery 2-22 and Montacute 2-24 for Ilminster, who crucially only conceded six extras to the visitors’ 35.

This coming Saturday Ilminster are away to Taunton Deane (1pm), who currently lie eighth.