Weston came off second best at Taunton where more than 600 runs were scored for the loss of just 10 wickets.

WESTON travelled to Taunton and came off second best against the promotion hopefuls.

Western Australia’s Marcus Harris scored yet another league hundred and proved the difference between the two sides. His class was evident as he found the boundary with ease throughout his stay.

Opener bowlers Charl Willoughby and Sean Stringer had no answer to Harris as even their good balls were racing to the fence. Chris Davidson was the only bowler who managed to stem the flow, but when Harris was dropped off his bowling, it was clear he was going to cash in.

By the time Shabel Ahmed removed Harris for 128, the score was 182-1 inside 30 overs. Hugh Kelly at the other end went somewhat unnoticed on his way to 49 before Willougby returned and clean bowled him.

However, Taunton skipper Jack Cooper (65) and Freddie Oldfield (39) were able to use the foundation laid by the openers and they scored quickly to push the score towards 300.

John Davidson removed both stumped off Allen and Goodhew respectively and Willoughby trapped Clist lbw. Bradley Lynch finished on 23 not out, but Allen removed Phillips thanks to Davidsons third stumping and Willoughby picked up his third finishing with 3-58.

Taunton reached 345-7 and despite the scoreline, the Weston bowlers stuck at their task well on a pitch which offered nothing in return.

Andy Fear and James King started well getting Weston to 33 before Fear edged behind. Ahmed joined King and the pair looked to build a foundation for Weston to have an attempt to chase victory at the end, before Ahmed was run out for 20.

King reached his half century, but was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Popperwell for 72 and was followed by Stringer, cleaned bowled by Greenwood.

This reduced Weston from 98-1 to 131-4. Needing 12 an over for the last 15, Rob Turner and John Davidson ensured Weston picked up maximum batting points.

The 225 required came with eight overs to go and the winning score out of reach. Davidson (55 not out) and Turner (69 not out) put on unbroken 129 stand as Weston finished on 260-4.

Weston play the bottom two sides at home in the next fortnight, knowing wins will push them back towards mid-table, but losses could see them potentially dragged back into trouble.

This week’s Forte Financial man of the match was again James King, but special mention should go to Willoughby, who claimed respectable figures on a pitch which saw more than 600 runs for just 10 wickets.

TAUNTON

H Kelly b Willoughby 49

M Harris lbw Ahmed 128

J Cooper st J Davidson b Allen 65

F Oldfield st J Davidson b Goodhew 39

C Clist lbw Willoughby 1

B Lynch not out 23

B Phillips st J Davidson b Allen 13

G Fitt b Willoughby 2

H Popplewell not out 3

Extras 22

Total (7 wkts) 345

Bowling: C Willoughby 10-2-58-3; S Stringer 4-0-23-0; C Davidson 5-0-22-0; A Fear 7-0-54-0; A Allen 8-0-55-2; A Ahmed 10-0-70-1; S Goodhew 6-0-48-1.

WESTON

J King c Popplewell b Greenwood 72

A Fear c Kerslake b Phillips 15

S Ahmed run out 20

R Turner not out 69

S Stringer b Greenwood 1

J Davidson not out 55

Extras 28

Total (4 wkts) 260