Deane leave Taunton All Shook Up

Chasing 172 for victory, Calvin Harrison and Harry Thomas led the Deane to their sixth win in seven games to move 9 points clear at the top of the WEPL Premier 2 table after Jason Squire (4-22) had earlier helped to restrict the hosts.

Taunton were restricted to 171 all out in the last over as the evergreen Jason Squire (4-22) and Calvin Harrison (2-24) imposed themselves on the hosts who had opted to bat first. Squire and fellow opening bowler Matt Derham (1-25) bowled with excellent control and precision upfront as run scoring was contained past the powerplay.

Derham was first to strike as he accounted for opener Glover, well held by Harry Thomas at first slip. Squire then removed opener Preston, LBW to a full swinging delivery and then had number 3 Clist caught by Tennessee Harlow at second slip at the second attempt, moments after having moved his fielder from point into the catching position.

The introduction of spin twins Harrison and Jamie Stephens (1-45) ensured the Deane remained in control throughout the middle overs and wickets continued to fall regularly. Harrison was next into the act, as he held a firm drive to remove Dan Quick (14) caught and bowled, before extra bounce from the off-spin of Stephens saw Abell (32) play the ball back onto his stumps.

Home skipper Hugh Kelly (16) was looking increasingly assured, but when he was Harrison’s second victim, stumped by Sam Shaikh, it was left to James Clark (41) to provide some ballast to the Taunton innings. Inventive with his stroke-play both sides of the wicket and taking a particular liking to the off-spin of Tennessee Harlow (1-26 from 3 overs), Clark kept the away side on their toes in the final overs, but his timely departure, stumped by Shaikh off the returning Squire with 4 overs left, ensured that the Deane run chase would remain manageable.

After receiving some punishment from Clark, Harlow accounted for the excitable Jesse Vertonghen (7) as he skied a catch to Rob Pryke at deep-midwicket, before Pryke himself induce Max Toohey (2) into a loose shot to be caught at cover. James Hayes (9) was Squire’s fourth wicket, as he was pinned LBW to complete the Taunton innings.

At the break, the Deane felt confident in atoning for their defeat to Weston Super Mare the previous week, but when opener Charlie Sharland (1) was bowled early on, the visitors knew they still had work to do. Fellow opener Grant Davey (27) was up for the task however, as he built steadily with number 3 Tenny Harlow.

The Deane looked well set and increasingly confident when Harlow (5) was somewhat unfortunate to be caught down the leg-side looking to put away a short ball from Hayes (1-32). Deane number 4 Harry Thomas (44) joined Davey and immediately set about providing impetus to the Deane chase. A couple of monster sixes and firmly struck fours down the ground showed his intent and he and Davey moved to Deane past 75-3 at the first drinks break.

The Deane were nearing 100 before Davey was bowled by Will Abell (3-48) and then Thomas (44), looking to launch Abell over midwicket, skied the ball high within the 30 yard circle to be well held by Dan Quick. With more than 80 runs required the home side sensed they were back in the game, and when Harry Smith (7) departed, caught at slip from the twirlers of Max Toohey (1-33), the game was back in the balance.

However, a partnership of 60 between the assured Calvin Harrison (39) and steadfast Sam Shaikh (20) moved the Deane within striking distance to take the game. Shaikh fell caught behind off Abell, before Jamie Stephens finished 8 not out to see the away side take the spoils from their cross town rivals.

The Deane took 19 points from the game as they move above Winterbourne to the top of the ladder with one game to play before the halfway stage of the season. The Deane complete the first half of the season as they welcome Midsomer Norton to the Convent Field on Saturday.

Special mention must go to James Clark who performed admirably and with great courage for his 41 and then 0-31 from 10 overs, no less than 48 hours after the passing of his father Charles Clark. a great servant and fondly remembered Chairman of Somerset County Cricket Club.