Chard CC 98 / 2 (15.2) def. Taunton St Andrews CC 2nds 95 / All out (28.1)

CHARD Cricket Club earned an impressive eight-wicket victory at the weekend over Taunton St Andrews Seconds.

The result saw Chard stay in second place in the WEPL Somerset division and still mathematically in with a shot at the title.

That being said, league leaders Wellington require just one league point to wrap things up, so for Chard, perhaps promotion is the main focus now.

In the match, Chard won the toss and elected to field first on what looked a difficult batting wicket.

That proved to be the case as the visitors batting attack was bowled over for just 95 runs in the 29th over.

Nick Eggbeer top scored with 19 runs while Ross Adams with 14 and Jago Barclay with 13 were the only other two batters to get to double figure scores.

The rest of the Saints lineup fell cheaply and quickly as the Chard bowling attack was in fine form.

The duo of Richard Scott and Chris Scott were on fire as they both took three wickets each, Richard with the best figures of 3/13 off three overs.

Malcolm Cloete, Harvey Evans, Benjamin Riley and Rob Glentworth all took one wicket each to round out the bowling figures.

In reply, Chard needed just over 15 overs to chase down the required runs.

Opener Reid Mawdsley continued his impressive season with another 42 runs off 42 balls.

Around him, fellow opener Rob Glentworth scored 13 runs before he was dismissed.

When Mawdsley was caught and bowled there was a slight concern the wickets may continue to fall.

However Jack Larcombe and Niall Crouch scored 16 and 12 not out respectively as Chard sailed to victory.

All in all a strong win for the team from South Somerset as the impressive season continues.

Obviously a few slip ups throughout the campaign have allowed the unbeaten Wellington to slip further in front at the top of the table.

Despite that though, Chard can be very proud of their efforts this season.

They now go into their penultimate game of the campaign away from home against Taunton Cricket Club.

The final game of the season for Chard will be the following week, September 2, when they welcome North Petherton CC to the home turf.