Derby spoils aid Ilminster in thrilling battle for title

THE derby of the day on Saturday firmly went to Ilminster as they further strengthened their title bid in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League, denting Yeovil's own aspirations as they ended June with back to back defeats.

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Yeovil had elected to bat and although they lost Matthew Shorto to a three-ball duck following a catch from Adeesha Nanayakkara off the bowling of Hugh Moore (1-45), fellow openers Siby Chacko (99) and William Chesterman (27) laid a good foundation with 81 for the second wicket.

Chacko was then cruelly denied his century after his 54-ball knock was ended by a catch from Josh Lee off the bowling of Samuel Grinter (1-40), before Lachlan Rice (2-38) and Nanayakkara (4-17) really took hold of proceedings for Ilminster.

With no other batter reaching 20, Yeovil fell from 136-3 to 180 all out after 38 overs. Jon Hurford had also managed to take a couple of wickets.

After losing Riley Millett for a four-ball duck, bowled by Mark Cawley, Ilminster surged to victory as Nanayakkara completed a man of the match performance with a fantastic unbeaten 119 from just 85 balls.