EARLY morning rain was not enough to save Lechlade from falling to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of league-leaders Taunton.

Rain fell throughout Saturday morning but with the drizzle stopping, and unusually the Manor Ground taking the water well, the game was able to get underway, albeit reduced to 45 overs per side.

Lechlade were asked to bat after skipper Joe Breet lost the toss and makeshift openers Kam Shah and Freddie Martin were soon back in the pavilion. With the ball seaming around the prospects were not good.

However Brad Dial settled in at the crease, and along with Oli Thornley (20), took the score to 37, but the latter was then bowled by James Dickens (2-31).

Breet (22) also looked to have found some form again but with the score on 94-3 he edged Jack Cooper behind.

With wickets continuing to tumble Dial went on the offensive. At 132-8 after 34 overs Dial started to farm the strike.

He put on 17 with Luke Sellers and added 26 with David Novais, who didn’t face a ball, but the South African was bowled two shy of his century to leave the hosts 175 all out.

The Lechlade attack were without the injured Paul Godding and Miles Hammond, who had been called up at the last minute for Gloucestershire’s T20 Blast clash with Middlesex.

However, Freddie Martin removed both Taunton openers within two overs.

But Josh Kelly (55) and Cooper (59) repaired the damage as they put on a third wicket partnership of 122 off 145 balls.

Sellers (2-52) returned for a second spell and removed both batsmen within an over but Taunton’s victory was never in doubt.