Taunton Deane are the 2024 Taunton and District Youth Cricket League U15 KO Cup champions after a convincing seven wicket victory over Wellington, on Wednesday 10th May at Taunton St Andrews CC, writes Richard Walsh.

Winning the toss and inviting Wellington to bat, the express pace of captain James Salt soon had Wellington on the back foot.

 Any chance of a competitive total looked unlikely after Tom Gendall was run out for 15, trapping the bat in the ground short of safety, and shortly after, Archie Evans bowled for a useful 27.

The lower order were unable to cope with the accuracy of James Tier who ended with four wickets for seven, three of which were bowled. The innings closed with a worldie of catch by Zac Salter, diving one-handed at mid-on with Wellington all out for 80 in 16.3 overs.

Deane started slowly, ensuring the opening attack of Tom Gendall and George Davis did not get the start they so needed defending a small total.

 It was the introduction of Oscar Milton that saw the end of Zac Salter for 23 with a good return catch.

Wellington fought hard but an attempt to take vital wickets led to steady boundaries from the eighth over onwards. Almost inevitability, it was Deane's impressive skipper James Salt with 30 not out who sealed the victory with 27 balls to spare.

Thanks to David Eele for umpiring and to Dennis Breakwell/Taunton St Andrews for the wicket, ground and hosting.