Weston seconds won a thrilling match at Keynsham by just five runs.

WESTON seconds’ first match of the season ended with victory in a nail-biting finish.

After losing the toss, openers Dan Press (48) and Simon Turner put on a solid opening partnership of 30, before Turner was bowled. Press built another partnership of 30 with Matt Blamire before a change of bowling in the 12th over led to a lbw.

Press looked good throughout and was unlucky to be run out on 48. A couple of quick wickets saw Weston reduced to 149-7, before Jon Lawrence and Tom Dancey (37 not out) teamed up. Lawrence was dropped on 27 and went on to make 73 not out off 54 balls in an unbroken partnership of 101 for the eighth wicket to bring the final score to 250-7.

Downend’s innings got off to the best possible start for Weston, with a fantastic first over from Tom Chambers, who finished with three wickets, reducing them to 2-2 off two overs.

Chambers then took an amazing catch in the fifth over to reduce them to 11-3. A couple of solid partnerships, including 56 from Frost and 71 from Coles saw the game close up.

Great catches on the boundary from Blamire and Luke Morgan, two catches for Lawrence and a fantastic caught and bowled from Matt Kearsey, combined with economical bowling from Tom Court (9-4-20-1), saw Weston bowl Downend out for 245 with two balls of the match to spare.

Forte Financial man of the match went to Jon Lawrence.

WINNING the toss and electing to bowl, Weston were soon taking wickets with an excellent spell from Georgia Tulip (six overs, 3-9).

She was backed up by Rhys Crocker (nine overs, 1-27) as East Huntspill were soon four wickets down with little runs to show for it. Resistance came from Hand (46) and with only two other batsman getting in to double figures, Weston’s change bowlers kept the pressure on.

Alex Leeks (five overs, 0-10) bowled a tidy spell, supported by Matt Munday (10 overs, 2-32). Terry Horler (2.1 overs, 2-15) made the breakthrough and as soon as Hand was out, East Huntspill were bowled out for 98.

Weston’s reply was slow but steady. Chris Pack (14) and Aniraj Sapra (18) added useful runs, but with wickets falling steadily, East Huntspill eyed a unlikely win.

But it was Weston captain Jon Mayo (31 not out), who stuck around to see the game out. A few batting partners chipped, James Leeks (9) and Georgia Tulip (5 not out) as the winning runs were hit by Mayo in the 40th over.

Forte Financial man of the match was Georgia Tulip.