Bridgwater 195-5 Downend 179

A CHRIS Gange half-century and 3-40 from Michael Coles propelled Bridgwater to a 16-run victory over Downend, in a rain-reduced game at the Parks on Saturday.

In a 31-overs a side affair, Gange smashed 60 from just 50 balls to help Bridgwater to a competitive 195-5, before Coles blitzed the Downend middle-order to take his side home by the narrowest of margins.

Bridgwater lost Windsor (3) and Coles (0) with the score on seven as the home side got off to a poor start.

But Gange and Butt (27) kick-started the innings with some positive batting as they raced past the fifty mark.

Butt departed for 27 when he was caught off the bowling of Naeem, but Barrett (42not) continued the attack with a well-paced knock.

Gange fell to the off-spin of Curtis Blakemore shortly after reaching his half-century, but late cameos from Andrew Skidmore (15) and Robbie Montgomery (19not) ensured that Bridgwater posted a strong total.

Downend's chase was never going to be straight forward, but it was made more difficult when Chris Skidmore (1-27) trapped the dangerous Mupariwa LBW for 12.

The visitors briefly rebuilt and the boundaries had began to flow, but the introduction of Somerset spinner George Dockrell (2-31) had the desired effect for Bridgwater as he picked up two quick wickets to reduce them to 68-3.

Ringrose (35) looked to be the linchpin of Downend's innings, but he was smartly run-out by Jonathan Vickery when well-set, as the home side edged their noses back in front.

Jackson (35) and Pandya (14) brought Downend back into contention with some aggressive hitting, until Drake (1-27) and skipper Coles put an end to any hopes of victory.

The pair's tactic of bowling full and straight paid off as Drake bowled Pandya for 14 and Coles trapped both Jackson 91) and Naeem (6) LBW.

Seamer Robbie Montgomery rounded off proceedings with his first wicket of the afternoon to give Bridgwater a 16-run win and push Downend back into the relegation dog-fight.