A DEADLY display from Bridgwater’s bowlers powered the league holders to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ilminster in a rain-reduced contest on Saturday.

Robbie Montgomery took 4-15, Tom Drake 2-32, Chris Skidmore 2-6 and Andrew Skidmore 2-10 as Bridgwater bowled Ilminster out in 36 overs.

In reply, Bridgwater barely broke sweat as they cruised to their target with 17 overs to spare.

In a match reduced to 48 overs a side, stand-in captain Merv Hallaran won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Ian Bishop opened up the bowling with the returning Chris Skidmore, who wasted little time in marking his first team comeback.

First he trapped Ilminster talisman Louis Kraucamp leg before for nine then clean bowled Lee for four.

Former Somerset wicket-keeper Sam Spurway struck four boundaries in a controlled innings of 27, but when Drake removed him, the wickets began to tumble.

Drake, the WEPL’s leading wicket-taker, followed by bowling Warry for just ten to leave Ilminster on the ropes at 58-4.

And there was little respite for the home side, as the introduction of Montgomery into the attack continued the rot.

The seamer blew away the middle-order – clean bowling three batsmen in quick succession – as Ilminster lost five wickets for just 12 runs to find themselves 68-7.

The reply didn’t get off to the greatest of starts as Bridgwater lost Hallaran (13) and Bishop (12) before the score had reached 40. But Ilminster’s modest total allowed a period of calm rebuilding.

Mitchell Windsor (30 not) and Chris Gange (36 not) took time to play themselves in, as the Ilminster bowlers toiled away without any further reward.

The pair edged towards their target with a calm and measured authority, with Gange in particular timing the ball sweetly through the off-side.

The No4 struck six boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 36, while it was Windsor who hit the winning runs in the 31st over, smashing a six off Thompson to seal an eight-wicket victory and keep the pressure on the league’s top three.

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

# BRIDGWATER cricketers Stuart Butt and Josh Vickery are being joined by friends Matt Eckley and Steve Depledge in a 450 mile cycle ride in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The ride from Haddington near Edinburgh to Bridgwater is scheduled to finish at Bridgwater Cricket Club this Friday between 6pm and 7pm.

The pavilion and bar will be open and there will also be a barbecue. All proceeds will go to the charity.