Calum Haggett stars as Bridgwater defeat Taunton Deane

TAUNTON Deane remain without a win from their opening four games in WEPL Premier 1, after going down by 50 runs away to near-neighbours Bridgwater on Saturday.

The result extends Bridgwater's excellent start to the season, and keeps them top of the standings, after superb individual performances from the experienced pair of Calum Haggett (107* and 3-27) and Mike Coles (4-20) turned an even contest at The Parks in their favour.

Opting to bat first, the hosts found themselves a wicket down in the first over, as Somerset’s Jack Brooks snuck one through Andy Hallaran’s defences.

Haggett and Somerset youngster Will Smeed repaired the early damage in an aggressive stand of 65, before the impressive Ed Mellor (2-44) trapped Smeed (31) lbw.

Haggett found another able partner in Alex Eckland, as they put on 76 in an impressive partnership that set Bridgwater up for a strong total.

With Eckland making 38, Coles 24 and Ned Leonard 22 alongside the dominant Haggett, Bridgwater finished up on 250-6 from their 45 overs.

The Deane began their reply brightly, with Robert Woodman (56) and Charlie Sharland (41) sauntering to 75, before Haggett made the breakthrough by dismissing Sharland in the 15th over.

Woodman and Sam Wyatt (26) continued to go well, until the introduction of Coles and his medium pace turned the game on its head.

Soon the visitors’ 125-1 was 143-5, with Tom Allcoat (1-27) getting the precious wicket of Woodman.

Brooks (41) resisted well, but ultimately the Deane were all out for 200, in 41.4 overs.

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LAUNCHED: Chard batsman Harvey Dening in action against Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI (pic: Steve Richardson)

TAUNTON St Andrews' unbeaten start in Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset came to an end on Saturday, away to Weston-super-Mare.

Saints were put in by their hosts and lost regular wickets as Matt Knight claimed 3-36 and Shabil Ahmed 2-39.

Lower order contributions from George Thomas (50) and Toby Williams-Thomas (41) pushed the scoreboard upwards, though, and captain Lloyd Alley’s 25* got his side to 225-9.

Ryan Davies (35) made a steady start in the reply, before becoming one of Josh Thomas’ victims in his 3-41 off nine overs.

Peter Trego (82) and Simon Green (66*) had the decisive partnership, with 153 for the fourth wicket, to see Weston to a six-wicket win.

In the Somerset Division, Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI opted to bat first at home to Chard, who made 197-8, with Anton Lucas Jones scoring 65 and Nathan Yarde taking 3-19 off eight overs.

The Saints reply reached 40-1, but then crashed to 61-9, as Chris Scott took 5-11 and Jon Dalwood 3-25.

Only Steven Jenkins (24*) provided much resistance as the home side were all out for 85, giving Chard the victory by 112 runs.

HOME LOSS: Ben Walford, of Taunton St Andrews 2nds