Bridgwater A 119 North Newton 103

BRIDGWATER A captain Dan Andison commended his side’s fightback as they beat North Newton by 16 runs in a low-scoring affair on Sunday.

After being dismissed for just 119 batting first, Bridgwater A responded with an impressive bowling display to roll North Newton for 103 and record a hard-fought victory.

Andison said: “When I won the toss and chose to bat it was dry and the wicket looked good but we got hit with a monsoon just after and it really affected the wicket. Having said that, we should have batted better and scored more but to win a game like that was really pleasing. Our bowlers were brilliant and we fielded really well as well.”

After tossing up at 12.10pm, the ground was then soaked by a heavy rain shower which delayed the game by just over half an hour.

When they eventually got under way, Bridgwater lost opener Jae Stone for just 10 and Coombes for 9 as their innings got off to a disastrous start.

At the other end Hastie (52) stood firm and scored freely, to be joined by Matt Osmant to take Bridgwater to a much healthier position.

But Osmant, who had looked well set, fell for 23 and his departure was the first in a flurry of wickets.

North Newton bowlers Jenkins (2-21), White (2-23) and Kyte (3-13) began to work their way through the Bridgwater middle-order, who had no answer to their host’s accurate bowling.

Andison (19) provided brief resistance but when he and Hastie departed in quick succession the innings crumbled as the final three batsmen were all out without scoring to leave Bridgwater A 119 all out in just 26 overs.

Faced with a modest total to chase, North Newton went into their innings in a strong position but their hopes were dashed early on as Jenkins (0), Stone (9), Sellick (0) and Barrington (11) all fell cheaply.

Cook (20) looked to kick-start the Newton chase but he also perished as the Bridgwater quartet of Rossiter (2-36), Hill (3-15), Windsor (3-11) and Horler (2-21) proved too strong for the opponents.

Jenkins (17) added a late cameo from the lower-order but it wasn’t enough for North Newton who slumped to a disappointing 103 all out inside 39 overs.

North Newton captain Chris Barrington was very disappointed with his side’s batting collapse, after such a strong display with the ball. He said: “We had a couple of bowlers unavailable for the game but I thought our bowlers did brilliantly, especially those who came up from the seconds.

“When we batted I think a couple of loose shots cost us our wickets but it was difficult to judge what was a good score on a rain-affected wicket. But well done to Bridgwater and we wish them good luck next season.”