Ilminster Cricket Club fell to a two-wicket defeat as league leaders Downend were the visitors in the latest fixture in the West of England Premier Cricket League.

After losing the toss, the home side managed to amass 268-6 off of their 50 overs before Downend secured victory for the loss of eight wickets with 21 balls to spare.

The result leaves Ilminster in a precarious position of ninth in the table with 11 games played with just Taunton Deane below them.

Ilminster came into this one on the back of defeats to Congresbury and Clevedon.

Having been put in to bat, the home side started well with Riley Millett and Adeesha Nanayakkara putting on 76 for the first wicket.

Millett was the first wicket to fall for 35 runs off 33 balls having smash two sixes and five fours.

Charlie Vickery came in at three and with Nanatakkara put on a 98-run partnership to progress the score to 174 before Vickery was out lbw to the bowling of Callum Loud.

Two balls later Nanayakkara was finally out four short of a century due to a run out. He hit two sixes and 13 fours in his spell at the crease.

That brought captain Sam Spurway to the crease but his partnership with Lachlan Rice only last eight runs as Rice was out for just two runs off 10 balls.

Jon Hurford was next in and managed to forge a partnership with Spurway for 30 runs but was caught off the bowling of Cani Gunaratnam for 17 runs off 21 balls.

Josh Lee added 15 while Hugh Moore was not out for 11 and Spurway was not out five runs shy of a half century.

Chasing a total of 269, Downend make a good start with the opening pair putting on 140 before their captain Loud was caught and bowled by Michael Reynolds.

Ilminster then took four wickets for 61 runs but Downend batsman Jordan garrett was a mainstay for the visitors.

A partnership of 51 between Olly Sharp and Jordan Garrett for Downend saw them take a huge step towards victory but not before Ilminster too three wickets for seven runs.

Ultimately, Downend got over the line. Michael Reynolds took four wickets for 49 runs in his 10 overs, while Charlie Vickery took a couple wickets in his eight overs.

Ilminster have now lost three on the spin in the league.

On Saturday (July 20) Ilminster are at home to Midsomer Norton who currently sit in second place.