WEPL Premier 1
Bridgwater 211-6 beat Taunton Deane 210-7 by 4 wkts

 

BRIDGWATER came through yet another difficult game against inspired opponents led by a magnificent century from skipper Mike Coles.


Bowling first, Bridgwater removed the dangerous Rob Woodman, well caught at first slip by Coles off Chris Skidmore in his first over, but the Deane battled back well as Ali Warren and Jack Leach moved the score along to 60 before the former was well held at mid-on by Mitch Windsor to give Steffan Jones the first of his two victims.

Phil Saxby (44) and Leach (40) added another 40 before another wicket fell but Ed Habberfield and Windsor (2-30) gradually got on top of the home sides batting reducing them to 150-6 before a hard hitting display from Russell Jones (18) and the unconventional Sam Burgess (46), who rode his luck somewhat, saw the Deane close on 210-7.

The Deane’s opening bowlers gave all they had reducing the visitors to 21-3 with two wickets from the aggressive Dave Reading but they then ran into the uncompromising Chris Gange and the inspired Coles as the pair put on 110 for the fourth wicket before Gange (36) was bowled by the miserly Leach who trapped Josh Vickery in front next ball to finish with remarkable figures of 2-8 off his 10 overs.

At 131-5, consolidation was again required as Jones joined the skipper but the pair then opened up with a series of big shots during the batting power play as Coles moved to a superb century that contained 17 4s and two 6s.

The only blip was the run-out, by half a pitch, of the unfortunate Jones who had played really well for his 30 but Ian Bishop (8 no) and Coles (114 no) saw their team home in the penultimate over to secure yet another crucial win in their quest for the Premier 1 Championship.

Speaking on the match, Coles said he wanted to set the mark for the other batsmen by stamping his mark on Saturday.

He added: "We made it harder than we should have but it was a good win.

"Me and Chris Gange went along nicely and it is always nice to lead from the front.

"We are in a good position but we will keep taking each game as it comes."

Match Travel Sponsor: Falcon Vehicle Solutions and Higos Insurances Services Ltd.

  • On Saturday, Bridgwater host Taunton St Andrew’s at The Parks for a 1pm start while the 2nd X1 travel for the reverse fixture.
  •  On Sunday, Bridgwater make the long journey to Essex Premier League leaders Wanstead and Snaresbrook to play in the quarter-final of the ECB National KO Cup.

Can Bridgwater hold on to win the league? Let us know your thoughts.