ON A scorching Saturday afternoon, Ilminster travelled to Temple Cloud for a high-stakes game in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League that delivered runs, drama, and standout performances. Winning the toss , Ilminster had no hesitation in choosing to bat first on a flat wicket that promised runs.

Their decision was justified as they posted an imposing total of 255. Sam Spurway anchored the innings with a composed 76, while Lachlan Rice added a fluent 50, laying the platform for a strong finish. Despite the heat, Temple Cloud’s bowlers toiled hard, with Reece Croker the pick of the attack. The seamer turned the game briefly in Temple’s favour with an excellent return of 5 for 53, pegging back Ilminster when they threatened to push well beyond 270.

In reply, Temple Cloud’s innings never fully caught fire. Several batsmen made promising starts – four reaching into the 30s – but none were able to kick on and convert into a match-defining knock. The middle-order resistance wasn’t enough to threaten the target, and they were eventually bowled out for 190, falling 65 runs short.

Despite the defeat, Temple Cloud remain top of the table, their consistency throughout the season keeping them ahead of the chasing pack. They’ll look to regroup and bounce back strongly next weekend in a crucial fixture against Bridgwater.