West Premier, Premier One 2nd XI: Bristol West Indians 152-8 lost to Bridgwater 213 by 61 runs

BRIDGWATER Seconds recorded their third successive win on their first-ever trip to Bristol West Indians. Despite cloudy conditions and the threat of rain, the pitch looked surprisingly firm, and skipper Scott Sealey chose to bat first.

Sealey and Ali Witts both departed, without troubling the scorers, in the first over from West Indians' skipper Robinson. Also in the first over, Andy Searle was struck on the shoulder by a length ball, and also nicked one behind, which was dropped.

Seconds' veteran David Hallaran made a brisk 14 before also falling to Robinson (4-47) leaving Bridgwater 21-3 after five overs. Robinson was extracting exaggerated movement causing all the batsmen problems.

Searle (14) and Rob Prescott mounted a brief recovery, with both finding the boundary regularly, before Robinson had Searle caught behind, making the score 56-4.

Ali "Goog" Hewson and Prescott waited patiently for the bad ball and hit it to the boundary, making use of a lightning outfield. Prescott played some nice shots and it a surprise when he fell four short of his half-century, bowled by Walker, leaving Bridgwater 118-5 after 24 overs.

Hewson found another able partner in young Ben Whitemore, who played nicely to make 15. Hewson was the rock in the middle order that his side required before being dismissed for 49.

Tom Pople and Matt Habberfield both fell cheaply - 170-9 with seven overs remaining. An excellent, last-wicket stand of 43 by the Skidmore brothers swayed the game in Bridgwater's favour.

The highlight was a massive six from Andrew Skidmore (26 no). Mike Skidmore was last out for a well-made 14 and Bridgwater were very pleased with 213 all out on a difficult wicket.

Skipper Robinson also opened the BWI batting and attacked from ball one with a succession of hard-hit cuts and drives. The young opening attack of Mike Skidmore and Ben Whitemore bowled well and Skidmore picked up two quick wickets.

Robinson (38) found an able partner in Jerome Burton (25), who also attacked the bowling. The introduction of spin slowed them, as Matt Habberfield used the conditions to his advantage. Skidmore (3-60) continued to bowl intelligently and was bowled Burton.

Andrew Skidmore replaced his brother, as Sealey opted for spin at both ends, and he also bowled an exemplary spell, as the spinners squeezed the BWI batting on a turning pitch. Robinson fell to Skidmore (2-39), well caught by Pople, who kept expertly all afternoon. Habberfield bowled a superb 13-over spell, conceding only 23 runs, and deserved more than the one wicket he picked up to a smart stumping.

The off-breaks of Searle (2-12) earned two more wickets, as BWI were content to pick up the 3rd batting point, finishing 152-8. It was an excellent game played in a super spirit, and another good win for Bridgwater.

11:31am Sunday 18th May 2008

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