WEPL Premier Two Bristol/Som
Taunton St Andrew's 122-2 beat Taunton 119 by 8 wkts

TAUNTON St Andrew's will go back to Premier One as champions after a comprehensive victory at The Wyvern Club over cross-town rivals Taunton on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and, after losing Dan Quick to James Hayman, Charles Clist (36) and William Abell (20) settled the innings, making cautious progress.

To blot his copybook, Abell was run out, bringing in Blake Coburn who had reached 12 when he became the first victim of the afternoon of Michael Leask.

Clist went for 36 to Deven Bell and Bertie Preston was the next needless wicket to fall, run out for two by an alert Saints field.

When Ben Phillips became Leask's second victim for 17, the Saints were through to the tail.

Leask, Bell, Hayman and Harry Clements each claimed a wicket as the last four wickets fell with little resistance.

As a result, Taunton were bowled out in 28.2 overs for 119.

In reply, Taunton were unable to make an early breakthrough as Saints skipper James Regan and Rob Contreras set out in confident form.

Contreras went for 21 to James Hayes, bringing in Leask.

He hit a quick-fire 38 to take the Saints within shooting distance of the title and, when he fell to Coburn, in came Lloyd Alley to help Regan finish the job.

The Saints passed their target in 19.4 overs, with eight wickets remaining, Regan unbeaten on 37 and Alley on 16no.

The victory saw the Saints go 31 points ahead of second-placed Glastonbury, who they visit on Saturday for their final league game of the season (12.30pm).

Taunton entertain third-placed Bishopston (12.30pm).

WEPL Premier Two
Ilminster 203-6 beat Taunton Deane 202-8 by 4 wkts

TAUNTON Deane's dismal season continued at Ilminster on Saturday when their nail-biting defeat left them flirting with the relegation zone.

Electing to bat first, Deane openers Robert Woodman and Jack Fraser set off in confident mood.

Fraser reached 27 before he became the victim of Richard Elswood.

Harry Thomas added 19 but wickets fell at regular intervals, with Woodman falling for a fine 57 off 76 balls.

During this spell, James Thompson bowled well to take 4-27 off his ten overs and the Deane looked to be heading for 150.

However, Lorenzo Machado took the bull by the horns and added an uptempo, unbeaten 43 in 31 balls which included three 4s and two 6s.

Charlie Vickery took a deal of the stick but persevered to take two late wickets to stem the flow of runs.

The Deane were on 202-8 when the overs ran out.

In reply, Ilminster, too, made a solid start, George Hayward and Charlie Vickery laying a solid foundation.

Woodman was again to the fore, dismissing Vickery for 26 with a caught-and-bowled, and having Jon Warry caught by Thomas for six.

Sam Spurway came in to join Vickery in a useful stand but Ilminster were always lagging behind the run rate.

Hayward went for 48 and Spurway for a classy 58 off 68 balls.

But, as Fraser and Mellor took wickets, the run rate rose considerably.

Enter the evergreen Craig Rice, whose innings built momentum.

He smashed three 6s in a match-winning cameo of 31 as Ilminster scampered home with just two balls to spare.

Woodman was the pick of the Deane bowlers, taking 2-32 off 10, but it was just not enough to send Deane to safety.

They host the side directly below them, Lansdown, on Saturday - the Deane are currently 17 points ahead so their destiny is in their own hands.