West of England Premier League
Somerset Division
Chard 227-9 beat Taunton Deane 2nds 122 by 105 runs

CHARD are sitting joint second approaching the halfway point of the season, after a comfortable win at Taunton Deane 2nds on Saturday.

Put in to bat on a good cricket wicket offering a bit of movement to seamers, Chard lost Akhona Mbanga (8) and Reid Mawdsley (6) early.

Jon Dalwood, retaining his place at the top of the order, rebuilt with Nathan Johnson as the pair added 62 for the third wicket.

With the score on 103, Dalwood was stumped having made a watchful 45.

Jonathan Scott (20) and Liam Cleal (17) made useful contributions alongside Johnson, who was the fifth wicket to fall having hit seven fours in his 56.

Chris Scott was then unlucky to depart for a golden duck, the ball coming off both his boots before trickling on to the stumps, but Nathan Warren’s cameo 27 at better than a run a ball from number nine led Chard to 227-9.

It was a score Chard would certainly have taken at the toss and was comfortably the highest total of the day across the Somerset Division.

Mbanga came out firing with the ball and quickly had opener Jonathan Lewis-Oliver caught behind by Warren without scoring.

The same bowler then clean bowled Luke Williams (13) before Richard Scott (2-40 from 10) accounted for Hugh Bellamy and Charlie Thomas in quick succession to leave the Deane 49-4.

Captain Russell Jones (16) then became Mbanga’s third victim, the paceman finishing with 3-23 from eight overs, and Dalwood went on to complete a fine individual performance as his spin turned the screw.

Dalwood took 4-26 from 8.4 overs, including the final two wickets in successive deliveries, as Chard bowled out their hosts for 122 in the 38th over, Ali Warren top scoring with 44.

Chard are now level on points with Bridgwater 2nds, with both teams 39 adrift of leaders Frome – who visit Chard on August 3.

This Saturday, Chard – boosted by the availability of Scott Wells-Burr – host Yeovil (12.30pm).