BRIDGWATER Cricket Club First XI suffered a disappointing weekend, losing in both league and cup, as availability woes finally got the better of them.

Taunton St Andrews CC - 1st XI 351 / 8 (50) vs Bridgwater CC - 1st XI 216 / All out (38.2)

On Saturday they visited the Wyvern in buoyant mood, having not suffered a defeat in 7 weeks, succumbed in the heat on the wrong end of a 135 run defeat, with Taunton St Andrews posting an impressive 351 for 8.

Batting first, former Somerset keeper James Regan led the way with 136 from 138 balls, and he was well supported by Josh Thomas (73).

Bridgwater did not have much luck, with Dan Williams (2-78) and Max Toohey (1-55) both bowling excellent spells for which their figures do not portray a fair reflection.

However, Bridgwater toiled in the heat and the extras count was not acceptable for a side which prides themselves on efficiency in the field.

Bridgwater fell to 54 for 4 in reply, however skipper Mike Coles led a fightback, sharing partnerships with Chris (23) and Andrew Skidmore (29), taking his side to 178 for 6 with plenty of overs remaining.

Despite the departure of Coles, who made an excellent 69 from 73 balls, signalled a late order collapse, leaving the visitors frustrated to miss out on the 5th batting point, all out for 216.

Bridgwater Mercury: Andrew Hallaran in action. Picture: Glyn DimentAndrew Hallaran in action. Picture: Glyn Diment

Bridgwater CC 1st XI 197 / All out (39.4) vs Potterne CC 1st XI 199 / 3 (27.5)

On Sunday, Bridgwater were well beaten by fellow Premier One outfit Potterne, who moved into the quarter final of the National Club Championship and only two wins from a Lords final, with a convincing 7 wicket win.

The early Bridgwater batting struggled to impose themselves on the visitors attack, with only Andrew Hallaran looking fluent with a quick fire 28.

The game was beginning to turn in the home sides favour whilst Coles (23) and Chris Skidmore (45) were at the crease, as Skidmore smashed six sixes in his 29 ball innings, however both were dismissed in consecutive overs, which left Bridgwater in some trouble at 143 for 7.

The tail did wag, with bright innings from James Salt (19) and Dan Williams (20), however 197 all out always looked about 50 runs light of par.

Jake Goodwin, the Wiltshire all-rounder, made things look easy hitting all parts of the Parks from ball one in a dominant innings.

Dan Williams picked up two quick wickets from the Pavilion End to reduce Potterne to 51 for 2, however that was as good as it got for the home side, as despite a good spell from Max Toohey, Potterne cantered to victory and a quarter final home tie on July 31.

Bridgwater CC wanted to thank their sponsors from the weekend, on Saturday - staff of Chilton Trinity School and on Sunday - Wills Carnival Club.