Weston were beaten by fellow strugglers Taunton St Andrews in a rain-affected game at Devonshire Road.

WESTON’S survival hopes were dealt a setback after a defeat by fellow strugglers Taunton St Andrews.

Winning the toss, Weston had restricted the visitors to 28-1 after eight overs when a torrential downpour threatened to wash out the game. After two hours of groundwork, the game continued with Keith Parsons and Somerset’s James Regan racing away after a reduction to 38 overs per side.

They had reached 86-1 before Chris Davidson introduced himself into the attack, removing Parsons with his first ball and striking again next ball to clean bowl Contreras.

The hat-trick ball found Kevin Parsons’ edge, but could not be held in the slips, but he was removed lbw next ball. The joy was short lived as Regan and Lloyd Alley put on 60 before John Williams removed Regan for an excellent half century.

Williams, Ahmed and Court all struck, but some loose bowling and fielding allowed St Andrews to reach 216-8.

The Weston innings got off to a flyer as the Ahmed brothers punished anything loose. They had reached 60 inside 11 overs before Jalal has adjudged lbw. Shabel continued scoring freely until he offered a catch back to the bowler, before John Williams was caught at long off.

The St Andrews spinners bowled tightly and as the run rate increased, panic set in and the Weston innings collapsed with wickets falling in quick succession. Only Sam Trego and Chris Davidson reached double figures, but the game was out of reach as Weston fell for 159.

Weston go into the final four games in ninth place, but with safety still well within reach. Some big performances will be required this week when they travel to Taunton Deane.