Weston fell 10 runs short of victory at Downend, leaving the Seasiders three points short of safety.

WESTON’S relegation was confirmed following a 10-run defeat at Downend. Taunton St Andrews were able to record victory against Corsham, which meant Weston finished three points short of safety.

Bowling first, Weston started well, but the aggressive Grieshaber took Downend single handly to 50 within the first 10 overs. Andy Fear removed Binnie and Charl Willoughby ran out Ponter, but Downend found the small boundaries regularly, despite some good bowling.

Chris Davidson removed Grieshaber for 70, before Sam Trego and Willoughby picked up wickets, but Ringrose with 63 halted the collapse. Shabel Ahmed and Fear picked up another four wickets between them but and at 209-9, Weston looked in pole position.

However, a final five-over flurry from captain Jackson (25 from 14) and Barrett (41 not out) took Downend to 258.

Trego and Ahmed bowled excellently, but pick of the bowlers was the unfortunate Willoughby with 10-4-23-1. Poor fielding again allowed the opposition an extra 20 runs which proved crucial.

In a slow reply, Weston lost the Ahmed brothers to slip to 4-2, but John Williams and Rob Turner rebuilt. The pair began bringing Weston back into the game as Turner brought up an excellent 50 and the Weston hundred.

However, with a ball to go for drinks, Williams was lbw for 39 and Davidson followed soon after bowled by Jackson. Morgan (25) and Turner continued to fight, but Turner mistimed to midwicket for an excellent 72, before Morgan ran himself out for 25.

Trego and Fear took the game into the final 10 overs with Trego clearing the ropes several times on his way to 51. The reintroduction of Allen accounted for both and going into the final over Weston needed 16.

John Davidson hit a six, but with pressure building he was caught for a quick fire 20, leaving Weston 10 runs short of victory to the despair of the Weston players.

This was the kind of spirited performance which had been missing earlier in the season when some poor cricket cost Weston valuable bonus points. Despite winning more games than St Andrews, some heavy defeats allowed them to keep in touch until the final day.

This Sunday, Weston travel to the County Ground in Taunton for the Somerset Cup final, hoping to gain some consolation for the season. A coach will be leaving the club at 10am returning at 6pm. The game starts at 1pm and all support is welcomed.