Jack Leach was unplayable with 4-9

Bath edged closer to another Prem 1 title when their victory over Downend took them 13 points clear of second placed Frocester. In a match reduced to 30 overs Downend managed a healthy 162-9, kickstarted by 29 from Matt Jackson as Downend’s top four struggled in the damp conditions. However, with Bath’s line up, the drying conditions and the size of the ground James Campbell hit a third of the required total on his own as Bath reached the required total in just in the 23^rd over.

Thornbury made Frocester work hard for their victory, as despite having been bowled out for 114, thanks in the main to 5-36 for Mark Hardinges, Frocester found themselves at 76-7 with all the big guns already back in the pavilion, before James Shackleton steadied the ship and steered Frocester home to a 3 wicket win. Thornbury now finding themselves at the foot of the table.

The biggest shock of the day came when Taunton St Andrews succeeded in bowling out title contenders Bridgwater for 120, Ian Bishop top scoring with 49. Youngster Jake Lintott then partnered veteran Keith Parsons to see the Saints comfortably to victory, just revenge for their earlier encounter, allowing the Saints to move quite comfortably to mid table.

Weston did not do themselves any favours against a weakened Taunton Deane XI, dropped catches, strong wind and an almost faultless 94* from Jon Hudd saw the Deane post 196-7. In reply, despite a solid start, Jack Leach proved unplayable on a turning wicket to return figures of 4-9 as Weston petered out at 158, and condemned themselves to almost certain relegation bar any minor miracles away to Bath next week.

And finally Corsham managed to claw their way back into relative safety with as Tom Bowler and Ashur Morrison both hit runs to allow their side to post maximum batting points. Despite having struggled with the bat this season, Corsham’s captain then took 4-17 with the ball as Bristol clearly missed the influential Steve Snell, absent after an unexpected call up by Somerset, as they fell short at 174-9.

Still, going into the last weekend of the season there’s an outside chance the Frocester could pip Bath to the title, and Thornbury and Weston could be reprieved at the expense of Corsham and Bristol, watch this space!