There were batting woes again for Minehead CC as they struggled for runs against a tough Taunton side this weekend and saw all 10 of their wickets fall for just 119 runs in a nine-wicket loss.

It was a familiar story for Minehead as they opened the batting but failed to build a truly competitive innings as they once again saw wickets fall regularly.

Openers Elliot Rice and Darren Sherring put on the best stand for The Pirates as they hit 35 runs between them before Rice was dismissed for 10 early in the 13th over, with Sherring following two overs later for a team high 34 runs off 43 balls.

 With the team at 52-2 batters started to fall.

Ian Buchanan was dismissed three balls later, with Braden Taylor and Dan Bowditch following quickly behind for minimal runs putting Minehead at 59-5 20 overs in.

Gregg Howard came in at number six for The Pirates and faced 42 deliveries for his 16 runs whilst hitting partner Charlie Payne added nine before being bowled by Henry Weatherill in the 25th over.

Ellis Taylor followed Payne back off the pitch two balls later with Minehead at 77-7, before Chris James in to hit six runs before he was caught in the 29th.

Replacement Robert Spiers added a late 20 as he partnered Howard, and the pair took Minehead past the 100-run mark before Howard was bowled in the 35th at 108-9.

Jack Richards came in for the final overs and held his ground well until he was run out in the 41st over, closing the Minehead innings on 119-runs.

Taunton came into bat after the break and knocked the Minehead target off in 22 overs, only losing one wicket to the bowling of Spiers along the way, to win by a comfortable nine wickets.

The loss leaves Minehead at the foot of the WEPL Somerset League but joint on points with Frome.

They now go on to play at home to eighth placed Chard CC on Saturday July 29th.