Somerset Cricket League Division Seven

Burnham 2nd XI 172-3 beat Wembdon Wyverns 171 by seven wickets

JIM Birkett was the star of the show for Burnham as they secured a seven-wicket victory over Wembdon Wyverns on Saturday.

Birkett scored an unbeaten 81 and took three wickets to guide Burnham 2nd XI to an emphatic win and keep them hot on the tail of league leaders North Petherton 2nd XI.

Batting at number five, Birkett smashed his way to a fine half-century, before continuing his surge to see Burnham to a comfortable win.

Martin Tipler at the other end proved to be the perfect foil for Birkett with a steady 36 not out.

Earlier, Birkett returned figures of 3-45 as the Wyverns were all out for 171 – J Marsh (3-44) also claimed three wickets for Burnham, while Andy Birkett was the pick of the attack with 4-16 from ten economical overs.

S Pigden (64) top scored for the Wyverns and D Stone (28) also chipped in – but the Wyverns were a long way short of a competitive total and Birkett and co. made light work of the chase, cruising home inside 32 overs.

S Hughes (2-24) and S Edmonds (1-34) were the pick of the Wyverns’ bowlers, with Hughes in particular, impressing with three maidens in eight overs.

But it wasn’t enough for the home side, who will look back at a below par total as the catalyst for this defeat, while Burnham will look at the match-winning performances of both Jim and Andy Birkett in securing a seventh win of the season.

They travel to Uphill Castle Cavaliers on Saturday, before welcoming Middlezoy 2nd XI the following weekend.