WEPL Premier 1

Bedminster 161-8 beat Taunton St Andrew’s 160 by 2 wkts

A FRUSTRATING ninth-wicket stand denied Taunton St Andrew’s a much-needed victory as Bedminster edged home at the Wyvern Club on Saturday.

The Saints were put in after losing the toss and their openers, James Regan and James Rew, took differing approaches against the new ball.

Regan struck four quick boundaries before departing for 19 from 15 balls, while young Rew dug in as the situation demanded following the early departures of Eddie Byrom (1) and Steven Jenkins (0) as well as his opening partner.

Rew’s resistance ended on 18 (from 73 balls) and the Saints needed runs from the lower order after slipping to 81-6, Jino Jojo taking 4-32 for the Bristol side.

Craig Dourado (25), Josh Thomas (22) and James Hayman (30) provided them, lifting the Saints to 160 when the final wicket fell from the last ball of the 47th over.

Harry Clements found the early breakthrough in reply as George Russell was caught behind by Rew without scoring.

When Clements (2-14) struck again, either side of two quick wickets for Dourado (2-34), Bedminster were on the back foot at 35-4.

Saiprasad Sudarshan Kamuni and captain Tom Smith steadied the ship until Kamuni (52) was caught behind off Josh Thomas (1-39).

Luke Poole then entered the fray and removed Smith (12), stumped by Rew, before having Garreth Elphick (10) caught by Jenkins to reduce the visitors to 110-7.

Dominic Goodman and Jojo added 32 for the eight wicket, at which point Poole struck again as Goodman (8) was caught behind.

Bedminster still required 19 with just two wickets in hand but Jojo found a willing partner in Jack Gibbs.

The pair carried the visitors over the line in the 37th over, Jojo ending on 23 and Gibbs on six to keep the Saints bottom of the table.

The fixture list gets no easier for the Saints - this Saturday, they welcome second-placed Bath.

WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Taunton Deane 317-2 beat Keynsham 112 by 205 runs

SUPERB unbeaten centuries from Tenessee Harlow and Harry Thomas led Taunton Deane to a crushing win at Keynsham on Saturday.

The hosts opted to field upon winning the toss, a decision they were made to regret as the Deane piled on the runs.

Rob Woodman struck seven boundaries in his swift 39 only for his progress to be halted by Sam Wheller (2-59), who had earlier accounted for Grant Davey (17).

That was as good as it got for the Keynsham attack, however, as Harlow and Thomas took control.

No further wickets were lost as both passed three figures, Harlow finishing unbeaten on 115 from 121 balls (13 fours) and Thomas walking off having blasted 132 not out from 116 balls, with 14 fours and five sixes.

The pair’s efforts carried the Deane to an imposing 317-2 and the hosts were immediately on the back foot in reply as opening bowlers Tom Hal (1-17) and Jason Squire (1-17) picked up a wicket apiece.

From then on it was a procession as spin twins Calvin Harrison (3-35) and Jamie Stephens (3-17) worked their way through the middle order.

Only opener James Mitchell was standing firm but he was the seventh wicket to fall, clean bowled by Charlie Sharland for 51 with the score on 102.

Sharland (2-13) then took the final wicket to fall as the innings was wrapped up on 112 in the 41st over, completing a mammoth 205-run win.

The Deane will now be full of confidence for Saturday’s decisive top-of-the-table clash at leaders Winterbourne, who are two points ahead at the summit going into the weekend.

WEPL Somerset Division

Wellington 267-6 beat Yeovil 117 by 150 runs

A SUPERLATIVE performance away to Yeovil has taken Wellington up to sixth in the Somerset Division, as the Red & Blacks recorded a massive 150-run win to claim 22 points, writes David Derrick.

Skipper Arron Campbell’s majestic knock of 104no (from 85 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes) was the cornerstone of the visitors’ 267-6, after the toss had been won and they opted to bat first.

Tom Chambers and Neil Hendy posted a 56-run opening stand to set Wellington on their way, with Hendy making 23.

Chambers made it to exactly 50 and at 85-2, Wellington were primed to take it to the next level – Sam Whitefield and Campbell obliged, adding 138 for the third wicket in totally dominant fashion.

Whitefield cracked 61 from 86 balls (with three sixes), while Campbell played a cool hand on a warm day, to be rewarded with a marvellous unbeaten ton.

Ben Ford (3-57 off 10 overs) and Mark Mitchell (2-20 off 10) were Yeovil’s only successful bowlers on the day.

Wellington’s attack laid into the Yeovil top order after tea, as Luke Desave and Will Derrick delivered 20 overs between them unbroken, sending the hosts crashing to 26-6 as they took 2-27 and 4-42, respectively.

Jack Veale (43) and Matt Dyer (27) made some good middle order runs for Yeovil, but the game was up.

It was ended by Jack Beal (2-9) and Thom Trott (2-21), as the home side were rushed out with 18.1 overs going unused.

Wellington will be hoping for another big performance this Saturday, as they travel to leaders Frome (12.30pm).

WEPL Somerset Division

North Petherton 197 beat Taunton Deane 2nds 140 by 57 runs

TAUNTON Deane 2nds slipped to the bottom of the table after a defeat at home to fellow strugglers North Petherton on Saturday.

Matt Derham (3-37) took three early wickets for the Deane but Lewis Knight’s 64 and 37 from number nine Farran Gregory took Pethy to 197.

The Deane slipped to 38-4 in reply and, though Henry Mellor (54) and Luke Williams (34) steadied the ship, the final six wickets fell for 27 runs as Ali Asif claimed 3-23 from 10 overs.

Taunton Deane 2nds are at home again on Saturday when they welcome Wembdon (12.30pm).