WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Keynsham 101-4 beat Taunton 97 by 6 wkts

TAUNTON were beaten at home by struggling Keynsham on Saturday after suffering from the worst of the conditions at the Vale.

It was a crucial toss to win after Friday's heavy rain and Taunton lost it, meaning they were put in to bat on a damp wicket which saw the visiting medium pacers enjoy themselves.

Both openers, Ollie Sale and Richard Glover, fell for ducks and it was 17-4 when Dan Quick departed soon afterwards.

Jesse Vertonghen (20) and Will Abell (27) both scored briskly as Taunton neared three figures, but they were bundled out for 97 inside 25 overs as Sam Wheller (4-12) ran through the tail.

A rain delay ensued, after which Keynsham began their reply on a wicket Taunton skipper Hugh Kelly felt was drier than earlier in the day.

"They weren't easy conditions by any means, but I think it was better to bat on than when we were batting," he said.

Taunton did take two early wickets but Tom Bancroft rode his luck en route to 32, three times edging through the slip cordon as chances didn't quite go to hand.

He was eventually trapped in front by James Clark (2-22) but Antony Cains' unbeaten 22 saw the visitors over the line in the 26th over for their first win of the season.

"We could have made a few more than 97, but it was a pitch where 150 would have been a good score," Kelly added.

"It could have been very different had we won the toss.

"Ollie Sale was almost unplayable anyway, and I think he would have been even more effective earlier in the day.

"It was frustrating and I feel we were unlucky, but we must pick ourselves up for Saturday."

Taunton travel to Ilminster this weekend boosted by the availability of Somerset captain Tom Abell, who is set to represent his boyhood club side for the first time this season.

They then face the same opposition in the Baker Cup on Monday night, a match which is being held at Taunton Deane CC.

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TAUNTON got into the World Cup spirit on Sunday with a specially themed family day at the club.

The event was well attended and saw junior members bowl at first-teamers including captain Kelly and Will Abell.

"It was a great day for the club, despite some dodgy weather, and it was very well put on by the Vickery's and Melvyn Gale," said Kelly.

WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Cheltenham 235-9 beat Taunton St Andrew’s 229 by 6 runs

A LOWER-ORDER collapse saw Taunton St Andrew’s miss the chance to pull clear of the bottom two as visitors Cheltenham earned their first win of the season on Saturday.

The Saints opted to bowl first upon winning the toss at the Wyvern Club but ran into an opening batsman in fine form.

Kieran Smith dominated an opening stand of 46 with Peter Woodland, who was caught by James Hayman off the bowling of Lloyd Alley for 16.

Three quick wickets then reduced the visitors to 72-4 and, at 110-5, the hosts would have been confident of not chasing too many.

But a crucial partnership of 100 followed between Smith and George Pritchard, who made 50 valuable runs.

Smith went on to pass a century before he became Alley’s fifth victim having made 115, the Saints’ captain for the day finishing with 5-42 from 10 overs.

Cheltenham finished their 50 overs on 235-9 and the reply got off to a steady start as 58 runs were added for the first wicket.

James Regan (39), Alley (29) and Steven Jenkins (31) all made useful runs and, with Eddie Byrom going well at the other end, the Saints were well set on 210-3 with just 26 more required.

But Jenkins’ dismissal sparked a flurry of wickets - the key one being that of Byrom, who fell for 78 to leave the hosts on 217-6.

Victory was still probable when the Saints inched up to 227-6, but the home side then lost their final four wickets for just two runs to fall to an agonising defeat.

St Andrew’s travel to third-placed Potterne on Saturday.