TAUNTON Deane’s promotion push took a shot in the arm after their 75-run win over Gloucester City Winget.

Batting first, the Deane lost opener Sam Underdown (one) early as he shouldered arms to a ball which nipped back.

But Rob Woodman (43) and Paul Tweddle (27) took the score to 75 before Tweddle was bowled by the innocuous Paul Carter.

Teenager Neil Brand showed maturity with the bat though and when Woodman was caught at mid-wicket, Brand and Sam Shaikh (21) grafted away against some tight bowling.

Alastair Warren continued his fine form with a near-run-a-ball 40 not out to support Brand, who finished unbeaten on 76 with the scores on 264-4, helped by 56 extras.

In reply, the impressive Liam Redrup (2-30) showed his class to take two early wickets. The first was a screamer of a catch by Underdown diving low to his left and the second a diving one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Tweddle.

Ben Leach (2-23) struck immediately with the ball and was supported by Phil Saxby (1-23) as the visitors were reduced to 83-5.

Luke Whitear then made a disarray of the Gloucester middle and late order as he claimed 3-34 and despite swashbuckling knocks of 40 and 31 not out from the Gloucester tail, the match was sealed when Dan Milligan clean bowled Tom Morris.

The win sees Deane claimb to second spot, ten points clear of Thornbury, ahead of a trip to table toppers Weston this Saturday.