A WEAKENED Taunton Deane side were unable to compete with leaders Downend at Convent Field on Saturday, going down by eight wickets in Premier Two of the West of England Cricket League.

Due to Downend's late arrival the home skipper Russell Jones claimed the toss and elected to bat.

Unfazed by their troubled journey, the Downend bowlers produced great opening spells offering little scoring opportunities.

The first wicket fell to a sharp catch at gully as Ali Warren tried to disrupt the bowler's rhythm, while promoted Ian Keitch (23) followed with the score on 35.

Deane were soon in trouble at 46-4 following some dubious decisions in successive balls. The away captain maintained pressure with cautious field placement ensuring the batsmen earned each of their runs.

Some late hitting from Russell Jones (19) and Jason Squire (12) pushed the total past three figures, before the final wicket fell in the 47th over with 124 on the board.

After tea, Deane took to the field and, despite tight bowling supported by some fine fielding, they weren't rewarded with a break through until the ninth over.

Downend steadily went about their business, sensibly pushing singles and punishing the occasional loose delivery.

They eventually reached their target for the loss of just one more batsman with almost 20 overs to spare. Spinner Pat Thomas was the pick of the Deane bowlers, returning figures of 8-1-26-1.

This result almost definitely pushes Deane out of the promotion race but, with a near full-strength team available for the rest of the season, third place should be well within their reach.

Deane are home to Bristol West Indians on Saturday.