WEPL Premier One

Ashcott & Shapwick 105 lost to Bath 106-2 by eight wickets

ASHCOTT & Shapwick are now faced with a huge uphill battle to avoid relegation from Premier One following an eight-wicket thrashing at league leaders Bath.

Only four players reached double figures for Ashcott as they were skittled for just 105 in 37 overs – and the hosts wasted little time in chasing down a small target, cruising to victory in 17.2 overs.

Adam Kelly (4-9) and Simon Marchant (4-28) did the damage with the ball for Bath, while Freddie Oldfield (30) and Gareth Harte (24) top scored for the visitors.

Bath won the toss and asked Ashcott to bat first – and the innings got off to another poor start as Charlie Vickery fell with the score on 13.

Gareth Harte added 24 before falling to Tom Drake (1-35) and when Oldfield was dismissed by Kelly, Ashcott folded to 105 all out.

With usual opening bowler James Hayman dropped to the seconds, Ashcott’s seamers struggled to make a breakthrough as Alex Barrow (46) and Robin Lett (29no) going on the attack.

Charlie Vickery’s off-spin (2-16) claimed Ashcott’s only two wickets of the afternoon, but Bath ensured an early finish with some solid strokeplay.