Weston 1st XI are facing almost certain relegation after their latest defeat.

WESTON 1st XI resigned themselves to almost certain relegation with a disappointing loss against Taunton Deane last Saturday in the Globe Sports West of England Premier League.

Weston were hopeful of some good luck, when having won the toss had also removed the dangerous Rob Woodman, caught behind by Jackson Davey off Sean Stringer (2-39) with the score on 11.

However, Hudd soon found his feet and the boundary, and after Saxby departed with the score on 49. Weston seemed to take their foot off the brakes and allowed Hudd and Pantling free reign as they put together a valuable century stand. This took Taunton Deane to 154 off 37 overs before Pantling’s eyes lit up to a Shabil Ahmed (2-27) delivery which saw him quickly stumped by Davey for 42.

This marked a brief collapse as both Warren and Leach followed without any trouble, but Dave Reading’s quick-fire 23 took Taunton Deane comfortably towards 200, before momentum was lost slightly, and the innings closed on 196-7, with Hudd stranded on 94.

Weston’s reply started steadily and positively, until the leg before decision against Edd Brown sparked Weston’s own mini collapse as Simon Green and Jason Neave followed shortly afterwards.

Davey and Fear managed to pull things back around, and at 80-4 in the 26th over the game could have gone either way if just one Weston batsman had taken control.

Gary Morgan tried his best to hang around and support Davey before becoming the second of Leach’s 4-9. A second collapse ensued, leaving Weston at 114-8, Leach proving to be unplayable on a turning wicket.

Brief respite was offered by Sean Stringer, who tried to win the game for Weston, hitting Weston’s top score of 28, but when Ashley Allen was out the game was over.

Taunton Deane claimed victory by 38 runs, condemning Weston to the relegation zone again, and needing a minor miracle against Bath on Saturday in order to stay in Premier 1 for another year.

? Whilst the first team still have a glimmer of hope in surviving relegation, the seconds are purely playing for pride following a hard fought four wicket defeat at Taunton Deane.

Deane won the toss and elected to bowl first. All of the Weston batsmen contributed in an improved batting display. Anchored by Andy Logan’s 66, Tom Ford (11), Ian Wheaton (16), Matt Blamire (16), Pete Hooper (17*) and Sam Curley (23), along with 39 extras, saw Weston past 200, eventually posting a competitive 202-6 from 45 overs.

In reply, Weston got off to a great start as Stu Roberts (1-54) bowled Ben Trepress in the fourth over. This brought together the experienced pairing of Dave Stephenson (35) and Hugh Bellamy (29) who patiently kept their side in the game.

Both were dismissed in quick succession by Matt Humphrey (1-15) and Wilf Huxtable (2-52) and when Calvin Smith and Sam Burgess followed in quick succession, Weston were on top.

However, Val Similien and Deane’s Australian captain Dave Jessep, who both batted superbly taking their side to the brink of victory. Similien was a victim of a sharp run out from Simon Turner from the bowling of Tom Court (1-52) for a well made 45, yet it was to prove too little too late as Jessep (59*) administered the last rites, guiding his team home with 2.3 overs remaining.

Intouch CRM man of the match goes to Andy Logan.

? With Saturday’s game against Wembdon a washout, Weston’s third team took on ground tenants Belvedere 2nds in their final league game of the season and came away with a comfortable victory.

Belvedere won the toss and elected to bowl and looked on top in the early stages as Tom Dancey (11) and Matt Blamire struggled against the nagging consistency of Kev Crockett (2-31) and CJ Neate.

The change bowlers struggled with to find their line as Blamire was joined by Ben Dancey (23) and most productively Matt Huxtable (45) before Blamire (64) attempted one big hit too many and became one of four catches for Jermaine Jones.

The innings stuttered to a close on 193 all out as Neate returned and wrapped up the tail with fine figures of 6-34.

The Belvedere reply never really got going in the face of accurate bowling from Stu Roberts (2-15), Alex Penwill (1-21), Dan Lomax (3-21) and Justin Turner (3-30) and was in tatters at 60-8.

Some lusty hitting and tailoring of the strike from Crockett helped him to 45 not out, but it was to prove a lone hand as Belvedere were dismissed for 120 in the 39th over.

Intouch CRM man of the match was Matt Blamire.

? This weekend in the last round of league fixtures, the first team travel to champions-elect Bath (12.30pm start), whilst the seconds host their Bath counterparts at Devonshire Road (1pm).