MINEHEAD suffered another defeat in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League when they were on the receiving end of an outrageous display of batting from Frome’s Donald Corbett, who struck an incredible 258 runs from just 135 balls.

Frome lost opener Charlie Smith for 16 early on, clean bowled by the returning Alfie Rucklidge, who ended with one for 55, and were 49 for two when Paul Sanger was unluckily run out at the non-strikers end for 18.

However number three batter Corbett was quickly into his work as he punished some loose bowling from the Minehead attack.

Braden Taylor (one for 76) then accounted for Luke Padgett, caught behind for just nine runs, but that brought James Unwin to the crease as he and Corbett looked to push on in the middle overs.

Corbett reached a rapid century before really accelerating as the home team toiled with the ball travelling to all parts of the Seaward Way venue.

Unwin joined his partner with a well made hundred of his own before being caught next ball off the bowling of Oliver Groves, who ended the innings taking two for 69.

That was not the end of the carnage, however, as Corbett raced first to 150, then carried on untroubled to 200 as nothing the Minehead bowlers tried could stem the flow of runs.

He then went from 200 to 250 in no more than 14 balls and eventually finished 258 not out from 135 balls – a knock that included 35 fours and 9 sixes.

Chasing 440 to win looked to be out of reach for the Pirates, even more so when they lost both openers for single figures.

Josh Hurley who made 78 off 148 balls with seven fours and Dan Bowditch who hit 73 at just less than a run a ball with 10 fours and a six, then shared a 126 run partnership of their own but were never up with the ever-increasing run rate that was required chasing such a massive target.

Both were dismissed before vice captain Chris James who made 29 and Braden Taylor with 16 tried their hand and added 55 together but ultimately the hosts ended on 227 for six - well short by a mammoth 212 runs.

Both sides are all but relegated from the WEPL Somerset Division so will meet again next year in the Somerset Cricket League.

Minehead will be hoping to put in a better home performance this coming weekend when they face promotion chasers Taunton who sit top of the table three points clear of second placed Wembdon. Minehead Seconds travel to play South Petherton while the Third XI are away at Sampford Arundel.