12:20pm Sunday 22nd August 2010
Bridgwater 2nds clinched the runners up spot in Premier One with an excellent performance at the Wyvern Club, where they faced Taunton St Andrews.
On winning the toss, the home side chose to take first knock on a dry pitch, however this decision looked questionable from the start as inconsistent bounce made life difficult for the early batsmen.
Both Tim Gogoll and Scott Clapp settled into a good line, and a wicket apiece, plus a run out instigated by Chris Singleton saw the Saints struggle to 24 for 3 from 13 overs.
Gogoll was almost unplayable in his first spell, taking 1-7 from 9 overs, and there was to be no respite for the Saints batsmen as change bowlers Ed Habberfield and Singleton each picked up a wicket in their second overs.
A brilliant run out by Clapp, saw the Saints continue to struggle at 52 for 6, however captain James Brice (35) and Luke Poole (36) instigated a fightback in a cameo stand of 63 to set their side up for a reasonable total in the conditions.
The returning Clapp got the breakthrough for Bridgwater, and then carved through the remaining batting to pick up his second five-wicket haul of the season, as the Saints were restricted to 132 all out from 38.3 overs.
Clapp finished with 5-29 from 10.3 overs, and was well supported by Gogoll 1-18 from 11, Singleton 1-25 and Habberfield 1-34. Special mention to wicket keeper Tom Pople who did a fantastic job for his side in very difficult conditions.
After a lovely tea, the Bridgwater batters set about their target by mixing watchful defence with the despatching of the bad ball to the boundary.
On a tough surface Bridgwater knew they would have to bat well to chase down the score, and Mitch Windsor and Ali Witts (8) got their side off to a steady start before Witts fell LBW with the score on 18.
This brought pinch hitter Daniel Andison to the wicket in a hastily reshuffled batting order, and he did a good job, adding a further 26 with Windsor before being caught at mid-wicket for 12.
Skipper Scott Sealey then joined Windsor, and took full responsibility to see his side home, by digging in in a dogged innings. Windsor played well, and hit boundaries all around the wicket, before falling to a skied full toss for a well-played 34.
Tom Clarke came to the crease at number five, and batted positively in a good partnership of 48 with his captain, as both carefully took their side close to the target. On 122 Clarke was caught for 27, and he was followed by Habberfield next ball, however this minor blip could not stop Sealey (21no) and Clapp (6no) taking their side to a thoroughly deserved victory with 18 overs to spare.
Many thanks to umpire Ray Windsor, Scorer Chris Cowley, Match Ball Sponsors TMB Patterns LTD and Match Travel Sponsors Falcon Vehicle Solutions and Dean Motors.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/trade_directory/