CORSHAM were unable to build on their fine victory at local rivals Bath last week as they slipped to a disappointing three-wicket defeat at the hands of lowly Taunton Deane on Saturday.

Seven days previous, Ashur Morrison’s men had clinched their first-ever league double over Bath in the Premier One division with a 22-run triumph at North Parade.

But they were brought back to earth with a bump as they came out second-best from a rain-affected home clash with Taunton last weekend.

Morrison’s men were put in to bat first after losing the toss but openers Steve Bullen and Dwain Fielding got off to a steady start with knocks of 70 and 48 respectively.

Andy Davis chipped in with 32 but the remainder of the Corsham order failed to weigh in with any more significant contributions, with 25 extras from the Deane bowling providing the hosts’ next-highest scorer.

Liam Redrup led the bowling figures with figures of 3-38 whilst Dominc McFarlane and Luke Whitear both claimed a pair of wickets each to restrict Corsham to 224-9.

A rain interval disrupted Taunton’s innings and the winning target was adjusted to 210 from 44 overs, with the visitors’ Sam Underdown (45) and John Rogers (43) leading the charge.

Russell Jones made 34 whilst Robert Woodman chipped in with 25.

Joe King claimed 3-35 as he attempted to turn the screw on Deane but a late unbeaten 17 from tail-ender Whitear drove Taunton to 210-7 at the midway point of the 43rd over, sealing Corsham’s defeat by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Morrison’s men have dropped down to fifth in the Premier One table but are just seven points behind Clevedon, who are the new occupants of third-place.

Next weekend, Corsham face a tough trip to table-toppers Frocester, who bested them by a hefty 101 runs when the two teams met at Station Road on June 6.

The Gloucestershire-based outfit have racked up nine consecutive victories and are currently 34 points clear at the top of the table.