WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Taunton Deane 207-3 beat North Perrott 205-6 by 7 wkts

TAUNTON Deane kept up their 100% start to the season with a comfortable victory over North Perrott at The Convent Field on Saturday.

Perrott won the toss and opted to bat but the Deane, and particularly Matt Derham, were straight into the groove with the ball.

Derham clean bowled Matthew Pardoe (1) before pinning the dangerous Gordon Whorlow in front for a duck as the visitors slipped to 6-2 early on.

Alex Eckland decided attack was the best form of defence and struck six fours and a six in an entertaining 31-ball 43 which came to an end when he was lbw to Roelof van der Merwe with the score on 68.

The Somerset all-rounder and Calvin Harrison kept the squeeze on in the middle overs, Harrison picking up the wicket of Pete Moxom (19) as Perrott struggled to get the spinners away.

Harrison also accounted for Jack Henderson (9) and finished with excellent figures of 2-14 from 10 overs, while van der Merwe ended with 1-22 from his 10.

Sam Rowswell injected some much-needed late momentum into the Perrott innings with two fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 41, while the more watchful skipper Jake Symes walked off unbeaten on 51 from 114 balls as Perrott posted 205-6.

The Deane wasted no time in getting going in reply and opening pair Rob Woodman and Harrison effectively put the result beyond doubt with a super stand.

The 100 came up in the 19th over and the partnership had reached 151 by the time Woodman was clean bowled having struck 15 fours and a six in his 85 at better than a run-a-ball.

Harrison went on to complete a fine all-round display with 66, including 12 fours, while Harry Thomas struck five boundaries in his unbeaten 25 to finish the game off as the Deane completed a convincing run chase with 15.2 overs to spare.

The Deane’s unbeaten start faces a test this Saturday as they travel to third-placed Bishopston, who have won four of their five games so far.

WEPL Somerset Division

Yeovil 119-4 beat Taunton Deane 2nds 118 by 6 wkts

TAUNTON Deane 2nd XI were well beaten at Yeovil on Saturday, as Alex Murphy claimed a five-fer for the hosts.

Put in to bat, the Deane made it to 26 without loss thanks to Nick Phillips (18) and Brendan Craggs (9), but they collapsed to 39-6 as Murphy claimed 5-13 off 10 overs.

Jonathan Lewis-Oliver (11no) and Toby Stone (12) rebuilt somewhat, and then Tom Burgess came in to add 18, but Ben Ford (2-45) and Jack Fuller (2-3) finished the visitors off.

The Deane were all out for 118 in 36.5 overs, that score inflated by 33 Extras (including 26 wides).

The away side’s hopes of victory were all but ended by a 40-run opening stand from Yeovil’s Steven Redwood (6) and Louis Martin (42).

Four wickets fell to four different bowlers – Luke Williams with 1-25 off eight – but Dan Ewens and Johnny Ireland got over the line in 27 overs.

Deane 2nds host Minehead this Saturday (12.30pm).