Taunton Deane 2nd XI v Clyst St George

Sunday, September 6 – 2pm | The Convent Field

Taunton Deane 2nd XI have the opportunity to turn up the heat in the Division Two title race when they welcome Clyst St George to the Convent Field.

Hatherleigh currently lead the way on 68 points, one ahead of Plympton, who have completed their six matches. Taunton sit third on 60, but crucially still have Sunday’s game to play.

A victory would therefore take Taunton above both sides before Hatherleigh play their final fixture against Clyst St George on September 13.

Clyst could yet have a significant say in where the Division Two title ends up, with their final two matches coming against two of the sides still involved in the race.

Taunton will take confidence from the reverse fixture, when they produced a commanding nine-wicket victory at Bohea Field.

Clyst made 181 for six from their 35 overs, with Charlotte Taylor leading the way with 66 and Iona Murrin finishing unbeaten on 29.

Beatrice How claimed three for 24 for Taunton, while Pippa Stephens took two wickets.

Stephens then played the starring role with the bat as Taunton raced to their target.

She made 92 and shared an opening partnership of 164 with Imogen Dunne before being run out. Dunne finished unbeaten on 61 as Taunton reached 184 for one in just 20.3 overs.

Stephens has continued that form throughout the season and heads into Sunday leading the Division Two batting standings with 261 runs.

Taunton have also possessed plenty of options with the ball, with five of their players sitting among the division’s leading wicket-takers.

Clyst have shown they are capable of upsetting the title contenders, though. Their recent victory over Hatherleigh demonstrated that the league table should not make Taunton complacent, and they have the opportunity to influence the championship race again over the final two weekends.

Taunton cannot win the title on Sunday, but victory would put them top of the table and leave Hatherleigh knowing exactly what they need to do a week later.

 

Chris Sleep Reporting