Somerset Cricket League Division One

Bridgwater A 197-7 beat Middlezoy 196-9 by three wickets

KERRY Windsor continued his good run of form to guide Bridgwater A to a battling three-wicket victory over Middlezoy on Saturday.

Windsor made 77 for Bridgwater, as they successfully chased down Middlezoy's 196-9 with three wickets to spare.

Earlier, James Lacey had top scored for 'Zoy with well constructed 79, but his efforts proved to be in vain as Windsor's knock carried Bridgwater over the finish line.

Tim heal was the pick of the Bridgwater bowlers, returning impressive figures of 4-22 as Middlezoy were restricted to below 200 batting first.

Bridgwater captain Dan Andison described the game as a “good old fashioned local derby” and praised the efforts of his players.

He said: “A superb bowling effort by Hill 4-22 off 12 overs restricted Middlezoy to a competitive score, but another match winning knock by Kerry Windsor spear headed us to victory against another first team opposition.

“Great credit to all the Middlezoy players, grounds men and tea ladies for making the game possible.

“This was a good old-fashioned local derby, played with passion and in good spirit by both teams throughout.”

After winning the toss Bridgwater elected to bowl first on a pitch that showed signs of potential early seam movement.

Despite this, the bowlers struggled to achieve an early breakthrough as the Middlezoy batsmen settled in nicely at the crease with Lacey batting nicely for 79.

The dismissal of Lacey off of the bowling of Hewson (1-19) spurred on the Bridgwater attack, who managed to turn things around in the field as well as with the ball.

A good spell from Andison (2-63) in the middle of the innings helped Bridgwater slow the run rate to turn things in their favour.

However, a quick fire unbeaten 27 from Ranson at the end of the hosts innings aided his side towards a good total of 196-9 respectively, with Hill the pick of the Bridgwater bowlers (4-22).

Bridgwater got off to a slow start with the bat, being reduced to 29-2 by the eighth over, but managed to recover well with some quick hitting from Coombs (17) and a cameo from Andison (21) before the latter was run out by a direct hit.

It was the in-form Windsor (77) who took the game to Middlezoy, batting superbly throughout the visitor's innings.

Despite the loss of Windsor to Clapp (2-28) Bridgwater crossed the line with 14 balls to spare.