WEPL Premier One

Taunton Deane 221ao (49.2ovs) lost to Bridgwater 140-7 (29.4ovs) by three wickets Match rain affected, target reduced to 138 in 31 overs.

BRIDGWATER completed the seasons double over a powerful Deane side courtesy of a three wicket win - and with a little help from the WEPL rain regulations.

Surprisingly, given the forecast, Deane Skipper Rob Woodman chose to bat but it did give his top order first use of an excellent pitch at The Parks on Saturday.

All Bridgwater's bowlers performed well to leave the Deane's excellent batting line up in some trouble at 129-5 in the 35th over in which Western Australian batsman John Rogers (43) had performed strongly before being brilliantly caught by Josh Vickery at short mid wicket off Steve Davis.

Sam Underdown (52) led the recovery, marshalling the lower middle order to 198-9 before Danny Milligan (25no) opened his shoulders to lift the Deane's final total to 221 - a below par total given the quality of the pitch and the speed of the outfield.

Andy Roberts (2-27), Cam Williams (2-28) and Steffan Jones (2-38) all bowled well with excellent support form the other bowlers and fielders.In reply, Bridgwater had moved sensibly to 52-1 before the first of three rain breaks, started to affect the game.

No overs were lost after the first one but the second and third saw the overs reduced to 40 and then 31 with a final target of 138.

Mitch Windsor (26) was well caught behind straight after the second resumption, while Andy Hallaran (55) had batted cautiously before being caught on the long leg boundary.

This brought Robbie Montgomery to the crease and the all rounder didn't disappoint, smashing 19 off only 7 balls to get his team in front of the required rate.

Steffan Jones (17) kept up the good work but a clatter of wickets occurred, with Somerset's Jack Leach (3-20) figuring, before Vickery hit the winning boundary to take Bridgwater to a very good win, brought about by their efforts in the first innings.

Tremendous thanks to Andy Higgins and his grounds team for their sterling efforts during a very difficult day.

Next Saturday Bridgwater travel to Champions Bath, where they will be hoping to repeat their wins of the past three seasons, while the 2nd X1 host second place Bath 2nds, in a crucial match that may well decide the Premier 1 2nd X1 title, at 1pm.

## Match Sponsor: Johnson Metals Ltd## Match ball Sponsor: TMB Patterns Ltd.

On Sunday July 20, Bridgwater 'A' will play at Staplegrove in the semi final of the SCB Intermediate T20 Cup at 2.30pm. In the other semi final, Bridgwater seconds will play away at Lansdown with the date yet to be arranged.