Promotion still in sight for Taunton Deane after victory over Yeovil
Those watching Yeovil bat at the Convent Field on Saturday had a collective memory of several thousand games over many decades. No one could remember witnessing numbers 1,2 and 3 each recording a golden duck.
Sunil Lachit's first ball went straight through Matthew Shorto's defence and spreadeagled all three stumps. The second ball saw Will Chesterman stranded attempting an ambitious run. Tenny Harlow's fielding prowess is the stuff of Deane legend, and his reputation was further enhanced by his perfect pick up and return to leave the umpire in no doubt and Yeovil at 0-2 after just two deliveries. The rest of the over was something of an anti-climax having a wide and four dots.
Siby Chacko's response was predictable, but the result was far from the expected. Siby scores a lot of runs and scores them at a rapid pace. Not on this occasion. He aimed to plant Jason Squire's first ball somewhere in Ash Meadow but missed and Yeovil were 1-3.
Yeovil were responding to a Deane total of 240. Harry Smith (32), Tenny Harlow (36) and Nick Pepper (41) all looked ready to build a big score before losing their wickets. It was left to Bhuvanesh Jayaraman (77) to help post a reasonable if not imposing target. In contrast to recent weeks, no Deane batter scored at a run a ball or better.
Yeovil's response to their dramatic start was to rebuild with due caution but wickets fell with regularity. Ben Ford's 84 was the standout contribution but, with no partnership above 50, the Yeovil innings concluded in the 44th over some 74 runs adrift.
Ed Mellor, captaining the side, continues to show his importance to the team. His runs have been invaluable, and, in recent weeks, his bowling has been tighter and more threatening. His three wickets on Saturday followed on from his Player of the Match performance in the Baker Cup Final on Monday.
Across the Deane teams playing on Saturday, only the 1sts won. Despite some good individual performances, margins of defeat were considerable.
The Deane Firsts travel to North Perrott next Saturday knowing that they need to win that and the following two fixtures to be sure of that one solitary promotion place.
Before that, the Deane Diamonds take on Bridgwater in the U.19 cup semi-finals. The game is on Friday evening at the Convent Field and support for the team is always appreciated.
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