WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

North Perrott 241-9 beat Taunton 210 by 31 runs

TAUNTON captain Hugh Kelly has urged his players to stick together and come back stronger after their relegation to WEPL’s third tier was confirmed.

Taunton went down by 31 runs at home to North Perrott on Saturday in a match which, according to Kelly, summed up their campaign.

“We didn’t bat well enough as a group and that has been the story of our season,” he said.

“We were confident at the halfway stage. It was a typically good batting wicket and we bowled and fielded reasonably well to keep them to 241.

“We had recognised batsmen all the way down to number 10 and plenty of us got starts but no-one kicked on to play that match-winning knock.”

Taunton’s was certainly a ‘bits and pieces’ innings – eight of the 11 batsmen made it into double figures but the top score was Dan Quick’s 33.

Both openers, Jesse Vertonghen and Oliver O’Livey, made 14, Charles Clist a brisk 29 and Ollie Sale an even swifter 26, from 18 balls with two fours and two sixes.

Those contributions helped Taunton lay a solid foundation at 100-2 but that was soon 111-5 as Somerset’s Lorraine Szczepanski (2-41) took a couple of quick scalps.

Quick and Kelly (21) kept Taunton in with a shout but both fell in quick succession to leave Taunton on the brink at 167-7.

Richard Godfrey made 18 but the final two batsmen fell for ducks with the score on 210, leaving Max Toohey stranded on 28 not out and Taunton 31 runs adrift.

Toohey had earlier taken 1-33 from 10 overs with the ball, with spin twin James Clark taking 1-35 , while pacemen Ollie Sale (3-48) and Will Easterfield (3-62) shared the other wickets as Perrott posted 241-9, Gordon Whorlow top scoring with 61.

As it transpired, Weston-super-Mare’s win over Winterbourne meant even a win would not have been enough for Taunton, who will play in WEPL’s Somerset Division in 2020.

“We have played better than last season and it feels quite unlucky to be relegated having come eighth in a 10-team league,” Kelly said.

“But it gives us a chance to rebuild and start winning some games.

“We have been down at that level before and come back stronger, and we will look to do so again.

“No doubt one or two may have their heads turned by sides playing higher up but I see it as a point of principle – I think those of us who got us into this position should be the ones to help get us out of it.”

WEPL Premier 1

Lansdown 308-6 beat Taunton St Andrew’s 105 by 203 runs

A TOUGH season for Taunton St Andrew’s came to a disappointing conclusion as they were thumped by Lansdown at the Wyvern Club on Saturday.

The Saints elected to field first upon winning the toss but couldn’t find an early breakthrough as Jordan Smith (51) and Josh Smith (56) compiled a century opening stand inside 17 overs.

Young spinner Josh Thomas removed both on his way to figures of 2-38 from seven overs but the runs kept flowing courtesy of Oscar Kolk (43), Brandon Allen (50) and Noah Davis (38no).

Sam Woodland (1-43 off nine) was the only Saints bowler to go at under five an over as Lansdown finished their 50 overs on an imposing 308-6.

The Saints were immediately on the back foot when they lost three batsmen - James Rew (5), Rob Contreras (0) and Gareth Parsons (16) - each with the score on 24.

Steven Jenkins top scored with 24 and Ollie Heard chipped in with 20 but wickets continued to fall in clusters and Ashley Allen’s introduction brought the game to an early conclusion.

Former Weston-super-Mare leg-spinner Allen took 5-6 in 3.5 overs as the Saints tail subsided, not for the first time this season, and the innings was brought to a close on 105 in the 28th over.

The result ensured the Saints finish in what is set to be the second of two relegation spots in Premier 1 and, as a result, they will be back in Premier 2 next season after a two-year stay at the top table.

It has not been an altogether disappointing season for the club as a whole, however - the first XI won the Baker Cup and the seconds have earned promotion, meaning there will be two Taunton St Andrew’s sides playing WEPL cricket in 2020.

WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Midsomer Norton 164-8 beat Taunton Deane 122 by 42 runs

TAUNTON Deane’s title-winning campaign ended in defeat at Midsomer Norton on Saturday.

Caleb Rowe hit 81 not out in Midsomer’s 164-8 in an innings reduced by rain to 40 overs, with Jason Squire (3-23) and Jamie Stephens (2-25) in good form.

The Deane lost three early wickets in reply but Charlie Sharland (28) and Calvin Harrison (32) kept their hopes alive.

There were few meaningful contributions after they were out, however, and the Deane were dismissed for 122.

Despite the defeat, the Deane finished 13 points clear at the top.

TAUNTON Deane 2nds look set to be back in the Somerset League next year as they finished third bottom in WEPL Somerset.

They finished their campaign on a high, however, with a superb 82-run win at home to champions Frome.

Sam Loud (69), Luke Williams (78) and 62 Extras helped the Deane to 286-9 and Loud took 3-38 in reply as the visitors were bowled out for 204.

WEPL Somerset

North Petherton 155-2 beat Wellington 154 by 8 wkts

WELLINGTON have achieved a fine fifth place finish in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League in their first season back following promotion, writes David Derrick.

Their record of eight wins and over 200 points achieved have ensured a mid-table finish in a competitive division.

Three points were needed on paper to be sure of survival but Yeovil’s loss at Chard rendered this meaningless and it is Yeovil, Taunton Deane 2nd XI and North Petherton who will return to the Somerset League for 2020 as three teams leave the division for the county league’s top level with two coming up from this section.

The game itself saw already-relegated home team Petherton win the toss and ask Wellington to bat.

After two wickets had been lost for 23 runs, Tom Chambers and Neil Hendy played well to take the score into the 60s as Chambers struck a fine 45 for his side.

Hendy made a capital 33 as he was supported by Ollie Wilkins (13), Luke Desave (23) and Ben Evett (10) to take Wellington to 154 all out in 48 overs and two batting points were secured as a result.

Petherton’s overseas player Ali Asif (4-24) was in good form with the ball for the home side.

Luke Desave and Will Derrick with a wicket each saw Petherton fall to 27-2 but an unbroken stand for the third wicket of 128 between Asif (69no) and Bowditch (51no) saw their side home with no further loss.

Add in some some stellar T20 performances too in 2019 overall it has been a good season for Wellington.