Taunton bounce back, while Deane remain top

9:40am Wednesday 24th June 2009

By Gazette Correspondent

TAUNTON bounced back from the previous week’s defeat at Keynsham with a much-needed two-run win at home to Chippenham on Saturday.

The Gipsy Laners were asked to bat first, and openers James Bryant and Hugh Kelly wasted little time in posting the 50 partnership inside the first 11 overs.

Kelly then chipped Lee Ward to square leg and departed for 18, but Carl Gazzard ensured that the early innings momentum was maintained.

Meanwhile, Bryant was at his fluent best, passing a half-century that included a dozen boundaries, with some majestic drives through the cover region.

At that point, a monster total seemed on the cards, but when Gazzard (19) was stumped off left-arm spinner, Richard Bates (2-50), the pendulum swung the way of the visitors, as 93-1 from 18 overs became 108-4 after 28, with Bates accounting for Jack Cooper, and Clifton Folkes (3-46) bowling Bryant for 56.

Folkes completed an miserly nine-over spell with exceptional figures of 1-5, with runs almost as hard to come by at Bates’ end.

It therefore took gutsy knocks from skipper, Matthew Bulbeck, and Chad Barrett to get Taunton through this tough period. But get through it they did and then some, as 98 priceless runs were smashed from the last 11 overs.

Bulbeck, the Division's leading all-rounder, ended up powering his way to 81 (including 12 fours and a six) and was well supported by Barrett (32), as the pair added 102 for the fifth wicket.

A final score of 228-7 represented a competitive total but by no means put the game beyond the Wiltshire side’s reach.

In reply, Barrett claimed the wicket of Tom Davies in his first over, before Clyde Williams (39) and Tom Rowson (29) put on 78 for the second wicket.

Bulbeck's left-arm spin saw the back of Williams and Ryan Higgins, with Cooper then claiming the wickets of Rowson and Paul Bates in the space of four balls, to leave the visitors 101-5 in the 30th over – in a virtual carbon copy of the hosts’ earlier effort.

The sense of déjà vu increased as Richard Bates (52 not out) and his captain, Steve Silk (58), added 103 for the sixth wicket, as Chippenham closed-in on a seemingly unlikely win.

Ultimately, however, Barrett (2-67) held his nerve in the final over, thereby ensuring his side clung-on for a vital victory.

1st Financial Group man of the match for a record fifth game on the spin wasMatthew Bulbeck.

TAUNTON Deane remain top of the table after securing a narrow 11-run victory at Trowbridge on Saturday.

Phil Saxby was once again in the runs, making 54 as Deane posted 178-9 after being asked to bat first.

Fortunes swung one way then the next when Trowbridge batted but it was the visitors who held their nerve to claim another victory and extend their lead at the top to four points.

THIS Saturday, Taunton are away to local rivals Ilminster and Deane travel to face Bristol West Indians.