WEPL Premier One 2nd XI 

Bridgwater 2nd XI 171-9 lost to Swindon 2nd XI 175-5 by 5 wkts 

BRIDGWATER’S second string began their season with a disappointing defeat at the Parks against newly-promoted Swindon, where the visitors overcame an early collapse to recover to a five-wicket victory with two overs to spare.

Bridgwater will rue a first innings batting collapse of their own as well as an untidy bowling display that saw 44 extras given to the opposition.

Batting first, Bridgwater lost Tom Pople early, however his opening partner Liam Kitch was in sublime form from the off as he peppered the boundary at will with a selection of drives and pulls.

Kitch was well supported by Stuart Butt (16) as the pair added 65, taking the score to 88 at the end of the 13th over before Kitch was dismissed for a superb 58 off only 40 balls including 12 fours.

This brought a collapse as Bridgwater then lost their next five wickets for only 19 runs, reducing them to 107-7.

Ed Habberfield and Chris Singleton then led a very good recovery, but the visitors’ bowling and fielding display continued to be impressive making runs hard to come by.

They added 45 for the eighth wicket with Habberfield making a timely 32 supported by Singleton’s mature knock of 23, which saw the home side to some respectability as the innings closed on 171-9.

Swindon’s most successful bowler was Danny Harris who took 4-8 with his medium pace.

The hosts set out in search of early wickets and this was provided by Ian Higgins and the impressive Singleton who reduced the visitors to 32-5 in quick time, Singleton being particularly miserly.

The young left-armer had all the visitors’ batsmen in trouble and was to finish with superb figures of 2-14 from his 9 overs.

Higgins picked up three wickets and Andy Roberts bowled a very good first spell to see the home side back on top, with Swindon struggling at 71-5 at drinks.

However, visiting captain Matthew Baker (48no) alongside bowling hero Williams (71no) produced a superb fightback for their side to claim victory.