Taunton Deane First XI are still waiting for their first win after they suffered their third defeat of the season.

They welcomed table-topping Downend to the Convent Field on Saturday.

After the loss of two early wickets, Ben Chaffey with an unbeaten 52 and Ali Hamid who made 37 not out built a good base for the Deane innings before the the rain played its part in proceedings.

The length of the delay in play meant the Deane innings closed at 110-2.

When play recommenced, Downend were chasing 178 from 31 overs for victory.

Downend established a good strike rate, but wickets fell at regular intervals.

Dave Jones showed he has lost none of his sharpness with the gloves as he stumped Ben Ford off a wide ball outside off stump, and Ali Hamid pulled off an exceptional athletic catch in the deep to take the wicket of Connor Blakely.

Sam Burgess took four Downend wickets as the score slowed but then accelerated towards the winning total.

It was the fifth ball of the final over that saw Downend home with seven wickets down.

The result was another disappointment for the Deane team and their supporters, but any neutral who arrived after the rain had passed would have witnessed a highly entertaining game played in an excellent spirit.

The result leaves the Deane at the bottom of the league table but with plenty of indications that a first win is not far away.

Only time will tell if that will be at their next game away to Ilminster next Saturday.