WEPL Premier One

Bridgwater 216-7 beat Frocester 214-7 by three wickets

STEVE Davis smashed 22 runs off the 47th over to fire Bridgwater to a three-wicket victory over Frocester on Saturday.

With 43 required from the last six overs, Davis plundered two maximums off the bowling of Frocester skipper Nick Trainor before Cameron Williams clubbed 18 off the 48th over to see Bridgwater to a remarkable win.

Trainor chose to bat on an excellent surface and led the way with a superb 107no after coming in with his side in trouble on 43-3.

Bridgwater’s bowling and fielding were excellent, and it was only in the last two overs when Trainor scored a quick 40 that they lost any control.

Lewis Gegg, with a patient 39, and Ross Martin (23no) were the only other batsmen to make a score in the face of a superb spell from Andy Roberts (3-24), well supported by Robbie Montgomery (2-26) and Todd Barrett (2-37).

With the pitch playing true and the racy outfield, Bridgwater just had to bat sensibly, building partnerships after the early loss of Andy Hallaran.

Stu Butt (32) and 17-year-old Ben Coombes (18) rebuilt the innings, but at 87-4 Bridgwater were rocking a little until a vital partnership of 50 between Barrett (32) and Montgomery (17) steadied the ship.

Frocester’s bowlers began to turn the screw again with Ollie Jones (2-32) and Rich Cave (2-45) being the pick.

At 171-7 with six overs remaining, the game was very much in the balance as Davis and Williams came together, but both held their nerve to deliver the goods and seal a vital victory for the home side in front of a large and supportive crowd.

The match sponsor was Charles Dickens, the match ball sponsor was TMB Patterns Ltd.

n Next Saturday, Bridgwater 1sts face a tricky trip to Bristol, while the table-topping second XI host the reverse fixture in their championship quest at 1pm.

n Bridgwater 2nd XI have reached the final of the SCB Intermediate Cup which will be played at the County Ground, Taunton, on Sunday, September 7.

Bridgwater defeated last season’s winners Lansdown in Bath after scoring 183-8 off their 20 overs.

Stu Butt (70) and Ally Witts (61 off 31 balls) led the way.

Lansdowne replied with 162-8 in a high-scoring game with Chris Singleton's three wickets doing the most damage, backed up by a determined fielding display and excellent support from the other bowlers.