BISHOPS Lydeard suffered their fourth defeat of the season in the Somerset Division on Saturday when they went down in frustrating fashion, by one wicket, in the last over at home to leaders Chard.

The hosts lost the toss and were asked to bat after rain had reduced the contest to 42 overs.

With the conditions making runs difficult too come by, Lydeard reached a respectable 175-7 with skipper Andy Clark (48), Andy Sapey (32) and Michael Clark (20) top scoring. Mark Tilley snapped up 3-38 for the visitors.

Lydeard looked on course for victory after reducing their opponents to 40-5 and 80-6 but a rain delay saw Chard's target re-calculated to 138 from 33 overs, leaving 60 needed from 12 overs.

Lydeard were also handicapped by the umpires' decision not to allow them to use their quicker bowlers and Chard eventually got home in the final over with nine wickets down.

Pick of the Lydeard bowlers was South African Justin Heyward who sent down a pacey opening spell which yielded 3-24 from eight overs. He was not allowed to return to the attack after the rain delay.

Mark Thomas also took his customary three wickets.