WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Som

Taunton St Andrew's 187-7 beat Bishopston 185-8 by 3 wkts

AN EXCELLENT all-round display by Lloyd Alley inspired Taunton St Andrew's to a vital victory over Bishopston in a crunch match at the top of WEPL Premier 2.

In a match which pitted first against second, the table-topping Saints were asked to bowl first after losing the toss and Alley took the first wicket to fall, finding a way through Jacob Duffy's defences for 14.

The same bowler then trapped David O'Brien (9) lbw, but Jamie Tapper (48) and Mark Coombes (52) added 80 for the third wicket to frustrate the hosts.

Luke Poole made the breakthrough as Coombes offered a catch to Eddie Byrom, the start of a collapse which saw the Saints lose four wickets for 19 runs.

Alley returned to pick up two more wickets at the death on his way to figures of 4-26 as Bishopston were restricted to 185-8 from their 50 overs.

The home side's reliable opening pair of James Regan (17) and Byrom (9) got the chase off to a steady start before both fell in quick succession to leave Saints on 27-2.

As in the visitors' innings, it was the third wicket partnership which did the damage as Michael Leask and Alley both made their way to vital half-centuries.

Neither could quite kick on, with Leask departing for 53 and Alley following for 50, and a wobble then left the hosts 164-7 - still 22 runs short of victory.

Kyle Hopper (20*) and James Hayman (10*) held their nerve to see the Saints over the line and increase their advantage at the summit to 27 points, with Glastonbury leapfrogging Bishopston into second.

WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Som

Glastonbury 350-5 beat Taunton 176 by 174 runs

TAUNTON endured a chastening afternoon at home to Glastonbury on Saturday, eventually succumbing to a 174-run defeat.

The match started well for Taunton, for whom William Easterfield picked up the early wicket of Tom Brock (3), but it was all downhill from there.

Harry Ellison (131) and John Stratton (107*) both struck excellent centuries on a difficult day for the bowlers, with the best figures coming courtesy of James Hayes (2-37) and Justin Burke (1-44 off 10).

Ali Easton struck an unbeaten 24 from just eight balls at the death as Glastonbury finished on an imposing 350-5.

Taunton were always behind the rate in reply and their cause wasn't helped by the loss of three wickets by the time the score had reached 28.

Blake Coburn and Jack Cooper added 63 for the fourth wicket before the former departed for 27 and, though Cooper batted well for his 67, no-one was able to stay with the set batsman as Taunton were bowled out for 176.

Taunton stay fifth in the table ahead of this weekend's trip to Shapwick & Polden.

WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Som

Taunton Deane 194-9 beat Claverham 170-9 by 24 runs

TAUNTON Deane picked up a victory over struggling Claverham at the Convent Field - full details to follow when a scorecard becomes available.