WEPL Premier One

Ashcott & Shapwick 149 lost to Taunton Deane 150-1 by nine wickets

ASHCOTT & Shapwick plunged deeper towards relegation from Premier One with a nine-wicket thrashing at the hands of title-chasing Taunton Deane.

Missing captain Steve Tinnion through suspension, Ashcott were rolled for just 147 in 43 overs as Deane took control.

They needed just 32 overs to secure the win and condemn Ashcott to a seventh consecutive league defeat and an eighth of the season overall.

The Ashcott case wasn't helped by a series of heated disagreements between their own players and the absence of their captain.

Tinnion is the second Ashcott player to serve a suspension this season, after seam bowler James Hayman was banned earlier in the campaign.

Ashcott are now 49 points from safety and 33 adrift of Taunton St Andrews, leaving them staring down the barrel of a return to Premier Two.

They travel to league leaders Bath this Saturday.