Weston defeated Keynsham by three wickets in a low-scoring encounter at Devonshire Road.

Weston returned to winning ways against previously unbeaten Keynsham in a tense win in a low-scoring game.

The day started well for Weston with skipper Chris Davidson winning the toss and electing to bowl in bowler-friendly conditions.

Things started well with 15-year-old Tom Chambers and veteran Charl Willoughby bowling well in tandem to make run scoring difficult. Willoughby exploited the conditions and soon took the first wicket superbly caught by Ahmed in the slips.

This started a major collapse from Keynsham’s top order, with Willoughby picking up 4-17 runs form his 10 overs.

The introduction of Andy Fear led to the important wicket of overseas player Jared Sun, who had rode his luck before being out for a streaky 24.

Skipper Davidson quickly accounted for two wickets and with Ashley Allen picking up another when replacing the injured Fear. A calamitous run out of the 11th man saw Keynsham all out for 75.

Weston had a tricky 10 overs to negotiate before tea was taken and Rob Turner struck three quick boundaries before he edged a rising ball to the keeper. Ahmed quickly followed to a ball that kept low.

Lambert joined Ford at the crease and they batted sensibly to see Weston through to tea for the loss of two wickets.

After returning from tea, Keynsham brought on experienced campaigner Reg Keates in the 11th over, who quickly turned the game on its head taking a hat-trick including both Davidson brothers, leaving the game well balanced at 36-5.

Opening bat Ford was still in, but quickly departed to a fine catch at second slip for 11, leaving two new batsmen in Tom Dancey and Allen.

Both showed grit and determination in their innings and patiently waited for any run scoring opportunities to slowly chip away at the low total.

The game was finished in the 28th over when Dancey drove through the covers for four meaning Weston won by four wickets, with Dancey 20 not out and Allen 18 not out remaining unbeaten with a match-winning seventh wicket partnership of 40.

This week’s Forte Financial man of the match went to Ashley Allen.

KEYNSHAM

J Sun c Ahmed b Fear 24

J Mitchell c Ahmed b Willoughby 3

R Wakefield b Willoughby 0

D Jarman c Allen b Willoughby 5

T Williams c Turner b C Davidson 0

M Branton b Willoughby 1

R Keates lbw Fear 5

J Hare not out 14

T Bryan b Allen 1

S Wheller c Allen b C Davidson 7

J Stiff run out 0

Extras 15

Total 75

Bowling: C Willoughby 10-4-17-4; T Chambers 6-2-15-0; A Fear 5.2-2-7-2; C Davidson 5-1-22-2; A Allen 2.4-0-5-1.

WESTON

R Turner c Williams b Stiff 13

T Ford c Wheller b Keates 11

S Ahmed lbw Bryan 8

J Lambert lbw Keates 1

C Davidson c Branton b Keates 0

J Davidson c&b Keates 0

T Dancey not out 20

A Allen not out 18

Extras 7

Total (7 wkts) 78