MIDSOMER Norton’s hopes of winning the Bristol/Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League suffered a big blow when they lost an exciting game by two runs at home to bottom side Taunton Deane.

However, table-toppers Downend also lost by 78 runs at home to Keynsham - but they increased their lead because they collected nine points compared to Midsomer Norton’s five.

Put into bat Taunton Deane, with only one victory before this game, were bowled out for 97 in 27.4 overs by Midsomer Norton with Callum Harvey taking 4-15, Adam Sylvester 2-30 and Paul Robbins 2-12.

Bertie Michael top scored for the Deane with 30, while Ben Chaffey was run out after scoring 16.

Midsomer Norton never recovered from losing their first two wickets for only 11 runs. They were all out for 97 with Jake Roberts scoring 18 while Richard Staines and Morgan Skipp both knocked 15.

Rufus Williams-Pitchard was the Deane’s star bowler with 5-22 in his ten-over stint while Sam Burgess finished with figures of 3-19 in his ten overs.

With only four matches remaining, the Deane remain bottom but they are only 31 points behind fellow strugglers Wellington who lost by two wickets against fifth-placed Clevedon in another low-scoring game.