Deane home to Undefeated Bishopston

Taunton Deane 1st XI entertained Bishopston on Saturday in a match that saw two undefeated teams going head to head. Given the importance of the match, it was clear to see that both teams were focused from the time they appeared for their respective warm ups. On what looked to be a flat wicket, both sides were keen to win the toss. Bishopston called correctly and decided to bat.

The wicket of ex Gloucestershire batsman Tim Hancock was going to be important the Deane, and opening bowlers Rob Pryke and Matt Derham set about their business in good fashion. While not threatening to take wickets, the bowling was tight, and the opening partnership of Hancock and Wenham made steady progress on what looked to be a very good wicket. The score reached 46 in the 10th over when Derham made the vital breakthrough, having Hancock well caught at slip by Russell Jones for 36.

The introduction of Ed Mellor(2-35) and leg spinner Calvin Harrison(1-38) saw the scoring rate kept under control as the Deane bowlers and fielders did their best to keep the total manageable. Useful contributions from Coomes(29), Booth(27), Cook(41), Connelly(25) and a hard hitting 23 from Khurshid saw Bishopston finish at 9-237, which Taunton Deane were very happy with. For the Deane, Matt Derham was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 2-34 off his 10 overs.

The Deane innings could not have got off to a worse start, with in form batsmen Jack Fraser and Lorenzo Machado both failing to trouble the scorers. This saw left handers Rob Woodman and Harry Thomas who were both returning from injury at the crease with the Deane in trouble at 2-7. What followed can only be described as a batting masterclass.

In a ruthless display of counter attacking batting, the 100 run partnership was brought up in only 12 overs. Both Woodman and Thomas peppered the boundary as they put both bowlers and fielders under relentless pressure.

Thomas reached his 50 of only 34 balls, while Woodman soon followed reaching the milestone off 52 balls. With the damage done, the pair reigned themselves in, batting sensibly as they steadily picked the runs off.

Thomas was eventually dismissed for 102 which included 16 boundaries and 2 sixes. Woodman remained not out with an excellent 105 which included 15 boundaries. The Deane reached the target of 238 for the loss of only 3 wickets, with 15 overs to spare.

The Deane travel to Keynsham on Saturday as they look to continue their unbeaten run.