Bears sentence Sabres to chop

Warwickshire Bears sustained their slim hopes of taking the Norwich Union League title with an eight-wicket victory over Somerset Sabres at Taunton, thanks largely to an unbroken stand of 116 in 20 overs between Shaun Pollock and Dominic Ostler.

The Sabres, meanwhile, must now contemplate a season in the second division.

Pollock celebrated his return from international duty with 4-36 and a robust 43 not out as his team brushed aside their relegation-doomed hosts with fully ten overs to spare. Ostler finished unbeaten on 77, from just 66 balls with 11 boundaries.

Earlier, having won the toss and elected to bat, the Sabres were soon struggling on a sluggish pitch.

Pollock had Trego (4) and Holloway (5), playing against his old club, caught at slip by Dominic Ostler before Burns (4), also playing against his old club, edged to the 'keeper off Brown to leave the Sabres wobbling on 65-3 after the first 15 overs.

Parsons, dropped by Knight in the gully on one, could not benefit from the reprieve and skied Sheikh to cover, where Wagg took a good catch, running backwards to make it 65-4 before a stand between Cox and Blackwell stemmed the tide.

Neil Smith's first over cost 13 as Sabres passed the 100 mark in the 23rd over but then after the oo-spinner found a fair degree of turn, and, in tandem with Mo Sheikh (2-19 from eight overs), frustrated the hosts batting.

One edge between 'keeper and slip apart Cox showed composure and class in reaching a 66-ball half-century with six boundaries. But when he fell lbw playing across a straight one from Sheikh for an 85-ball 64, his frustration was understandable as he swished his bat about angrily.

Blackwell, a little slow to move into top gear, found the off-spin of Mark Wagh more to his liking and struck him for a straight six and lofted four, before pulling the returning Pollock savagely to the boundary.

But when the luck is against you... Wood was run out off a deflection from Pollock as he backed up to a fierce drive, and when Blackwell was bowled, pulling at a ball from Pollock (who finished with 4-36) that was far too close to him for a 67-ball 51, the Sabres subsided to be all out for 188 in the 44th over.

With such a low total to defend it was imperative that Somerset took their chances. But Knight was badly missed by Blackwell at mid-on, a skier off Bulbeck, when on eight, and again by Turner on 32. By the time he was bowled for a 37-ball 45 (6x4 1x6) the tone was set.

Dutch and Blackwell were unable to utilise the helpful conditions, allowing the burly pairing of Pollock and Ostler to take a heavy toll on the numerous loose deliveries and keep their side in the hunt for a place among the prize money.