WEPL Premier One

Taunton St Andrews 265-9 beat Ilminster 122 by 143 runs

A HALF-century from James Regan and three wickets from Deven Bell helped Taunton St Andrews to a resounding victory over basement side Ilminster in Premier One on Saturday.

Somerset wicket-keeper/batsman Regan scored 68 in Saints’ total of 265-9, which was helped along by Kevin Parsons (38), James Hayman (31) and George Dockrell and Ed Byrom (both 28).

Deven Bell was the pick of the Saints’ attack with 3-18 from seven overs and Lloyd Alley (2-20) and Luke Poole (2-18) were also in the wickets.

Saints lost the toss and were asked to first at the Wyvern Club and lost Robbie Contreras without scoring in the second over.

Ed Byrom (28) continued his impressive form before he offered a catch off the bowling of Kraucamp - but at the other end, Regan was beginning to find the middle of the bat and peppered the boundary with a series of drives and pulls.

George Dockrell joined Regan in the middle and scored a fluent 28 before being trapped in front by George Hayward – and captain Parsons continued the theme with an eye catching knock from number six.

Regan passed fifty for the second time this season, before some late hitting from James Hayman took Saints past 250.

With the ball, the Saints and made an early breakthrough courtesy of James Hayman (1-30), trapping Charlie Vickery lbw for six.

Lloyd Alley was next to strike, bowling Josh Warry (4), before Somerset and Ireland spinner George Dockrell got the key wicket of Louis Kraucamp for 25.

A smart run out from Lloyd Alley accounted for Josh Lee (0) and the same player then removed George Hayward as Saints closed in on victory.

Sam Spurway (39) became Luke Poole’s first victim of the afternoon and he soon doubled his tally with the wicket of Sam Grinter.

Deven Bell wrapped up proceedings with his third wicket to complete an emphatic win for Taunton St Andrews.

They travel to Downend on Saturday before finishing the season at home to Bristol.