TAUNTON St Andrews remain in fourth in Premier One following a hard-fought winning draw against Keynsham at the Wyvern on Saturday.

In truth, this was a match which could have gone either way and it was not until the penultimate over of the game that Keynsham's victory charge ultimately failed.

Winning the toss, home skipper Mike Burns had little hesitation in choosing to bat on that rare thing in this wettest of summers - a hot, dry day.

He himself raced to 24, before being first to fall at 42, bowled by Graham Williams.

Martin Jenkins followed soon after lbw to Burston, bringing Paul Lawrence to the wicket.

His 53 formed the basis around which others could play.

Only a late flurry from Mike Parsons (27 not out) in an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 50 took the score to 232-8 from 55 overs.

In reply, Qamar Waraich (59) and Russ Wakefield (49) looked to have set the platform for the run chase and, at 147-2, an away victory looked on the cards.

At this point, though, the fielding display sharpened. Wakefield was run out by Lawrence, Whittington was tremendously held one handed by Brian Hoyle in the covers and Mike Burns completed only the second run out of his career'.

Suddenly it was 162-5. As the run chase continued, Mike Parsons started picking up regular wickets and ended with 3-63.

With two overs to go, 24 were required or three wickets for the home side.

An excellent over from Lloyd Alley brought a wicket and just two runs. Mike Parsons was unable to take the last two wickets in the final over as an exciting game played out its final chapter.

DIXON Walsh man of the match: Paul Lawrence.