By Eric Woodmason

FROCESTER posted their ninth win in a row to open up a 34 point lead at the top of Premier One.

A 23-run victory over Taunton St Andrews saw Paul Muchall continue his incredible run of form with an innings of 74 and six for 24 with the ball.

Captain Nick Trainor won the toss and batted first, with Javed Khan first to go for 11 in the seventh over with the total at 34.

Uzi Quereshi and Muchall then featured in a partnership of 66 which took the total to 103 for two in 20 overs when Quereshi was leg before for 42.

The middle order then stuttered as Frocester slumped to 126 for four, but then Trainor joined Muchall in a partnership of 66, when Trainor was bowled for 35.

However, Frocester have batting strength in depth and Sam Bracey was the next to provide Muchall with effective support, scoring 24 from only 19 deliveries.

Muchall was the next to depart leg befroe to spinner George Dockrell for 74, which included nine boundaries, with the total at 215-6 from 45 overs.

Ross Martin smashed 23 runs from only six deliveries as Dockrell was dealt some heavy punishment in the final overs, finishing with two for 69 from his 10 over spell. Frocester finished their innings on 258 for seven.

In reply, Taunton collapsed to 39 for four with Muchall and Furley capturing two wickets each.

However, the Somerset duo of Keith Parsons and Dockrell then joined forces with a partnership of 119 that took the total to 158 for four.

They batted very effectively against Cave, Davis, Trainor and Martin who were unable to make any impression on the experienced duo.

However, Muchall returned in the 30th over and immediately bowled Dockrell for 76.

He then bowled Lloyd Alley for 19 and Ashley Davis picked up two wickets towards the end of his spell as Taunton struggled to 225 for eight, with Parsons still battling to take his team to victory.

Muchall returned again and Parsons departed caught behind by Sam Bracey for 77.

Muchall then polished off the tail to take Frocester to a well-deserved victory, Taunton all out for 235.

FROCESTER reached the final of the County Cup with a comfortable six - wicket victory over Thornbury, who batted first and reached a total of 233 all out in 44 overs.

Frocester were initially in some trouble at 68 for four, but then Uzi Quereshi (118 not out) and Javed Khan (68 not out) took them to victory without further loss and with 10 overs to spare.