Willows and Banks lead the way in Clevedon triumph
GREG Willows’ 112 and four wickets on debut from Jack Banks helped Clevedon complete a 69-run home victory over Taunton Deane to stay clear at the top of WEPL Premier One at the halfway point of the season.
Willows anchored the Clevedon innings, facing 137 balls and striking eight fours and a six, and shared an opening stand of 166 with Louie Woodland (66) after bottom side Deane won the toss.
In reply, the visitors were in reasonable shape at 115-3 but folded to 144 all out as Banks (4-34), Dan Williams (3-33) and Cameron Harding (2-21) made inroads.
Bedminster were rumbled for just 99 at home to champions Potterne after losing the toss, eventually succumbing by seven wickets.
But it was a better day for Downend who overcame Chippenham by three wickets.
Skipper Brandon Gilmour contributed 54 before an unbroken partnership between Andy McEwan (51) and Bobby Naeem (39) completed an important basement victory.
Bridgwater, second at the start of the day, lost by six wickets at home to Bath, while Lansdown were 190-run victors at home to Cheltenham.
» Tayyab Riaz’s third league century of the season helped pave the way for Golden Hill to march on at the top of Bristol & North Somerset with a 106-run home success over Bristol West Indian Phoenix.
Riaz and opener Daz Ahmed (80 off 58, nine fours, five sixes) combined to power their side to 297-7 which proved to be well out of range for the visitors, as Harry Thomas claimed 4-43.
Bristol 2nds, sitting in the runners-up slot at the start of the day, slipped to a three-wicket reverse at Brislington.
James Riley (3-18 from eight overs) and Adeel Khan (3-39) were the pick of the attack as Bristol faded to 169 all out, before skipper Rhys Grove (33 not out) guided Bris over the line.
Twyford House are back up to second following a comfortable seven-wicket home victory against Old Bristolians Westbury.
Mark Fowler (4-21 from nine overs) and Tom Armfield (3-14) reduced the visitors to 167 all out. Twyford then wrapped up the spoils, with opener Alec Bosomworth top-scoring on 49. There was also an unbroken stand of 66 between Zora Singh and Matt Collins.
Captain Joe Brimble’s excellent return of 5-27 was key to Stapleton being bowled out for 156 at home to Knowle, who then coasted in by seven wickets, Brimble again taking centre stage with an unbeaten 57. Keynsham dropped a place to fourth with a five-wicket home setback against