WEPL Premier One

Taunton Deane 296-8 beat Bridgwater 200 by 96 runs 

TAUNTON Deane took another massive step towards WEPL Premier One safety on Saturday with a 96 run victory over fellow strugglers Bridgwater, at the Parks.

With Ilminster seemingly destined to return to Premier Two once again, the final relegation spot is tight with Downend, Bridgwater and Deane separated by just two points going into the final few games.

Skipper Rob Woodman opted to bat and opened with himself and Sam Underdown and after hitting four fours in his 19, he was caught and bowled by Robbie Montgomery for 19 at 31-1.

Underdown and John Rogers (84) then took it to 95-2 before the former was caught off Andrew Roberts for 42 including seven fours.

Rogers was motoring at that point and although Somerset left armer Jack Leach came and went for 12 there was plenty more support down the order.

Harry Thomas was stumped off Steve Davis for 26 but the middle and late order made some very useful runs with Calvin Harrison hitting four fours and a six in his 42 and Russell Jones going in at eight clubbing 29 in 15 balls.

Somerset 2nd XI quick Liam Redrup hit 18 in eight balls at the end as Deane just failed to get to 300, closing on 296-8 in their 50 overs.

Bridgy openers Steve Davis (1-69) and Montgomery (2-58) took some stick as did Chris Singleton whose six overs went for 57 runs and one wicket. Andrew Roberts clawed some back with an economic ten overs, 2-28.

In reply Merv Halleran and Chris Gange both found the boundary and put on 62 until Halleran was caught by Underdown off Luke Whitear for 35 including five fours and a six.

Leach then got to work and his confidence from recent county performances shone through as he picked up the wickets of George Bartlett and Mitchell Windsor and when he caught and bowled Montgomery for a second ball duck Bridgy were in trouble at 164-6.

Davis was still there but was rapidly running out of partners and when he went for 48 it was only a matter of time. Leach took his fourth (4-41) by claiming Daniel van der Berg and Woodman also weighed in with a useful 3-37 as Bridgwater ended on 200 all out in 45 overs giving Deane the win and the crucial points.

On Saturday Taunton Deane have a daunting trip to Bath while Bridgwater are home to runaway leaders Frocester.

Downend host Clevedon and with Taunton St Andrews dropping within a couple of wins the run in will go to the wire.