Woodman and Warren Fell Bishopston

After winning the toss and electing to bat in the glorious bank holiday weather, Woodman and Warren started watchfully against the Bishopston attack led by the miserly Jack Hunter (0-15 from 7 overs).

However, with the powerplay ending and both batsmen set, Woodman put his foot on the accelerator, more than doubling the Deane score from 52-0 in the 10th to 122-0 off 20 and ending 155-0 at drinks in the 25th.

Using his feet well against the spinners and unleashing his usual cuts backward of point, Woodman reached his 50 from just 38 balls. At the other end Ali Warren played the perfect foil reaching his own half century from 73 balls before he was caught at long on selflessly looking to kick on.

There was no respite for the Bishopston attack and Calvin Harrison joined Woodman with the pair adding a further 48 runs in the next 8 overs before Woodman offered a catch to cover to depart with 122 from 108 balls and the Deane score 250-3 in the 40th over.

Harrison fell for 41 from 38 balls 5 runs later, before Harry Thomas (15) kept the Deane going, two masterful sixes from Harry Smith (8) and debutant Luke Williams (18 not out) pushed the Deane to 288-6 before a declaration in the 45th over.

Jack Hunter (0-15 from 7), Ryan Adam (2-56) and Mark Coombes (3-60) among the wickets for the visitors.

With Deane declaring their innings early in search of bonus points, any thoughts of respite from the searing heat were soon short lived by the Bishopston batsmen as they soon found themselves 28-3 in reply
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Nate Gilchrist (0-17 from 8) and Suresh Rana (1-33 from 9) gave the Deane a tight grip on proceedings from the start, with the young Gilchrist combining good pace and accuracy on a placid wicket, the pressure built. Daaryoush Ahmed was the first to fall, bowled looking to force away a mystery ball by Rana, before fellow opener Penn was bowled by the probing yet hapless Harry Smith with one that nipped back.

David O’Brien (28) threatened to rebuild for Bishopston but he was excellently run out by Calvin Harrison. Mark Coombes (30), Jamie Tapper (26) resisted well and both look composed under the growing pressure putting away the bad ball and also taking the game to the Deane bowlers. However, at 85-3 at drinks the Deane still felt in control with 203 required in the second half.

Calvin Harrison (0-36 from 8), Ben Osborne (1-13 from 5) ensured the pressure never relented, Osborne having Jamie Tapper caught at point for a well made 26.

Leg spinner Luke Williams bowled impressively on debut and his control and guile accounted for Coombes, before a piece of exhibition bowling setup and defeated Gary Booth. A couple fizzing leg breaks were followed by a perfect googly that duly clattered into the unguarded stumps to leave Bishopston 114-6.

Jack Hunter (43) kept Bishopston interested and in the hunt for bonus points with 4 fours and 2 sixes. He was ably supported by Joe Wenham (36 not out) in pushing the visitors score to 185 and another bonus point before Hunter forced a Harry Thomas log hop to Woodman at short midwicket.

With Bishopston captain Frank Connelly following soon after, stumped by Sam Shaikh looking to go down town against the part time spin of Thomas, the Bishopston innings finally petered out, although Wenham and Lawrence Cook ensured the visitors passed 200 and secured another batting bonus point.

Bishopston finished on 204-8 from their 50 overs, an 84 run win for the Deane but they will be left frustrated not to pick maximum bowling points in an otherwise convincing performance.

An early season local derby is in prospect next week as The Deane travel across town to take on Taunton CC at Taunton Vale Sports Ground from 12.30pm.

The game at Gipsy Lane will be followed by Somerset and England cricketer Jack Leach donning his Deane cap again to official open the new bar at the clubhouse.

All friends and family are welcome as the Deane hope to be celebrating a derby day victory and back to back wins as the Deane will look to carry the momentum gained this week forward in signalling their intentions for a push at promotion in the league this season.