Weston were comprehensively beaten by seven wickets at home to Taunton Deane.

WESTON’S poor batting form continued against Taunton Deane as they were skittled out for 116 after choosing to bat.

Openers Andy Fear and Chris Davidson were both caught behind off the bowling of Pryke, before Shabil Ahmed mistimed a wide delivery from the same bowler to point.

After John Williams played on, Sam Trego (34) and Gary Morgan (19) steadied the ship and both looked comfortable at the crease.

Somerset county player Jack Leach was introduced and he bowled Morgan, followed shortly after by Jonny Weber and Sam Goodhew. Trego was removed after a hard-fought knock and despite some hard graft, the tail were unable to add many to the total.

With a low total it was difficult for the Weston bowlers to build pressure and despite Charl Willoughby threatening the batsman, Taunton Deane had moved on steadily by the time Fear came on to remove Fraser for 12.

Fellow opener Shaikh continued playing his shots until Willoughby finally found his leading edge and a return catch. John Rogers looked to go after the attack and with little to play with some streaky early shots, took the game further out of reach.

Davidson removed Leach second ball, well caught by Weber, who performed well standing in behind the stumps.

This left Deane still needing 45, but Burgess with a quickfire 24 and Rogers batted through to see Deane home with plenty of time to spare.

With other results going against Weston, this defeat has seen them drop several places, heading into a crunch period against the top three.

On Saturday, Weston travel to Bridgwater hoping for an improved display.

IntouchCRM man of the match was Sam Trego.

WESTON

A Fear c Shaikh b Pryke 8

C Davidson c Jones b Pryke 5

S Ahmed c Fraser b Pryke 11

J Williams b Milligan 6

G Morgan b Leach 18

S Trego b Whitear 34

J Weber b Leach 0

S Goodhew lbw Leach 3

S Stringer b Milligan 4

A Allen b Pryke 9

C Willoughby not out 1

Extras 17

Total 116

TAUNTON DEANE

J Fraser lbw Fear 12

S Shaikh c&b Willoughby 30

J Rogers not out 37

J Leach c Weber b Davidson 1

S Burgess not out 24

Extras 14

Total (3 wkts) 118

Bowling: C Willoughby 9-1-35-1; S Trego 4-1-22-0; S Stringer 1-0-7-0; A Allen 3-0-5-0; A Fear 3-0-17-1; C Davidson 3-0-10-1; S Goodhew 0.4-0-15-0.