A century by John Williams set Weston on their way to an impressive victory over Bridgwater.

WESTON’S survival hopes were significantly improved after an impressive win against Bridgwater.

Winning the toss and batting first, Weston were determined to put runs on the board and the Ahmed brothers started well, taking Weston to 36 from the first 10 overs. With 54 on the board, Jalal Ahmed mistimed leg spinner Williams to cover for 31. Williams and Shabel Ahmed dug in and responsibly saw through 20 overs as Bridgwater bowled some tight spells.

After 30 overs, the pair accelerated as Ahmed reached his 50 with a huge six. Having reached 150, Williams began to cut loose finding regular boundaries with ease.

Ahmed played the perfect supporting role running well as Bridgwater struggled for answers. Some big overs took Weston past 200 in the 44th over and with two overs to go, Williams whipped Skidmore through midwicket to bring up an excellent century. He fell for 105 in the final over and Ahmed batted through for a superb 88 not out as Weston totalled 245-2.

Tom Court got Weston off to a good start as he trapped Hallaran lbw. Weston kept up the pressure and this paid off as Fear bowled Steve Davis and had Butt caught by Willoughby.

Gange continued to hold the innings together, but Trego and Ahmed reduced Bridgwater to 124-6. A 50-run partnership brought Bridgwater back into the game, but Ash Allen returned and caught and bowled Gange for an excellent 83.

In tandem with Fear, they pushed the run rate beyond 10. Nerves kicked in and some poor fielding and a missed chance enabled Windsor to accelerate, as he hit 24 from an over on his way to 50.

Court returned and removed him with his first ball and with 14 required from Trego’s final over, Skidmore skied the ball and Gary Morgan took an excellent catch over his shoulder to leave Weston victorious by nine runs.

IntouchCRM man of the match was John Williams. With Taunton St Andrews picking up no points, Weston go 25 points clear of relegation with two games to go. A victory at home to title hopefuls Bath on Saturday will secure safety.

WESTON

S Ahmed not out 88

J Ahmed c Davis b Williams 31

J Williams c Williams b Davis 105

S Trego not out 1

Extras 20

Total (2 wkts) 245

BRIDGWATER

M Hallaran lbw Court 12

S Davis b Fear 20

C Gange c&b Allen 83

S Butt c Willoughby b Fear 11

T Barrett b Trego 8

R Montgomery lbw S Ahmed 1

K Devitt lbw S Ahmed 10

M Windsor b Court 50

C Williams c Allen b Trego 13

A Roberts not out 10

C Skidmore c Morgan b Trego 4

Extras 14

Total 236

Bowling: C Willoughby 8-1-51-0; T Court 6-1-21-2; A Allen 10-0-49-1; A Fear 10-1-26-2; S Ahmed 6-0-29-2; S Trego 9.4-0-52-3.

EARLIER in the week, Weston booked their place in the Somerset Cup final after defending 82 at Keynsham.

Two late Tom Court wickets and a Jonny Weber run out off the final ball saw Weston home by one run in a tense finish.

The final will be held at the County Ground, Taunton, on September 7. All support is welcomed and a coach will be leaving the ground at 10am at a cost of £5 per seat. Those looking to book can do so at the club or via the club Facebook page.