WEPL Premier One

Taunton Deane 226-6 beat Ashcott & Shapwick 101 by 125 runs

A MIDDLE-order collapse condemned Ashcott & Shapwick to a crushing 125-run defeat at the hands of Taunton Deane on Saturday.

Chasing 227 to win, the visitors collapsed to 101 all out inside 31 overs, with only Nayan Kamarkar (46) and Charlie Vickery (10) making it into double figures.

Earlier, James Hayman had been the pick of the bowlers for Ashcott, taking 3-46 to help restrict Deane to a par total - but Kamarkar was left to play a lone hand in the chase, as Jack Leach (2-23) and Neil Brand (3-18) ran through the order to send Ashcott to their second defeat of the season.

Ashcott won the toss and elected to bowl first, but were thwarted early on a strong opening stand between Rob Woodman (84) and Neil Brand (59).

Hayman returned to remove both players in quick succession, before Gareth Harte (2-34) and Steve Coppell (1-42) got in on the act - removing Australian John Rogers, Jack leach and Sam Underdown all for single figures.

Alistair Warren (26) and Harry Thomas (14no) finished the innings as Deane set Ashcott 227 to win from 50 overs.

In reply, Ashcott lost captain Steve Tinnion for just one, caught off the bowling of Dan Milligan (1-20) - before Rogers accounted for Charlie Vickery with a smart run out.

From here on in, the Ashcott batsman struggled to get going, as first Harte (0) then Rudge (3) and Hayman (6) fell cheaply.

Spencer and Coppell soon followed off the bowling of Russell Jones (2-10) - and Haggett and Lang weren't far behind as Ashcott slumped to 101 all out.

Ashcott take on Bath next Saturday.

## BRIDGWATER'S game at Frocester was postponed without a ball being bowled, as heavy rain throughout the week left the ground unplayable.

They welcome Bristol to The Parks on Saturday - 12.30pm start.