WEPL Downend take step closer to safety with win

CAPTAIN Callum Loud led from the front with an unbeaten 70 as Downend romped to a potentially crucial seven-wicket home victory over fellow strugglers Taunton St Andrews in WEPL Premier One.

- Steve HILL

The historic Bristol club remain second bottom but are now 42 points clear of Saints, who need a remarkable change in fortune to avoid the drop.

Just 18 points - essentially one win - now separates the four other sides battling to pull clear of the relegation zone with five rounds of games to go.

Saints, who won the toss at the WG Grace Memorial Ground, reached 260-7 after winning the toss, wicketkeeper Gabe Gallman-Findley top-scoring on 73 as spinner Maz Khan captured 3-37 from 10 overs and seamer Ollie Louch pocketed 2-44 from nine.

In reply, Downend lost an early wicket before Khan (59) and Ben Ford (42) took charge. Loud then led the charge to the points with a brutal knock which included seven sixes, sharing an unbroken stand of 116 with Jordan Garrett (55).

Next up for Downend is a daunting trip to runaway leaders Bridgwater, who had to work hard for a two-wicket home success against Bristol.

Miles Kantolinna, at eight, top-scored on 44 as the visitors battled their way to a total of 156 after losing the toss.