WEPL Premier One

Bridgwater 154-8 (25 overs) lost to Frocester 160-5 by five wickets

BRIDGWATER slipped to defeat from the penultimate delivery of the game in a rain-reduced contest at Frocester on Saturday.

Heavy overnight rain and a delayed start saw the game reduced to 25 overs per side – and having lost the toss, Bridgwater posted 154-8 thanks to Chris Gange (37) and Steve Davis (27).

Davis (2-22) then did his best to help Bridgwater defend their total, but Uzi Qureshi (42) and Nick Trainor (32no) saw Frocester home with one ball to spare.

Andy Hallaran and Steve Davis opened the innings and got Bridgwater off to a solid start, before Hallaran was the first man out LBW for 13.

Davis was next to go for 27 to leave Bridgwater 48-2 - and Mitch Windsor then fell to the impressive Richard Cave.

South African Daniel Van der Berg then joined Chris Gange to rebuild the innings - and with good running and clean hitting moved the score onto 88 before Van der Berg was caught for 17, before a couple of lusty blows from Chris Skidmore and Chris Singleton helped Bridgwater to 154.

Bridgwater required early wickets to put immediate pressure on Frocester, but Sam Bracey and Uzi Qureshi had other ideas, with Bracey in particular playing an entertaining innings of 19 from 19 balls.

He was first to go, bowled by Singleton, but the runs continued and it was the Bridgwater bowlers who began to feel the pressure.

The introduction of Steve Davis accounted for Jawid Khan and Tom Wand - and the impressive Chris Skidmore (1-18) removed Qureshi.

Ian Higgins then had Gregg caught and at 115-5 Bridgwater were back in the game.

Unfortunately there was to be a sting in the tail, as key man Nick Trainor offered a sharp chance which was put down.

This proved extremely costly for Bridgwater as Trainor and Paul Muchall struck some fine boundaries to ger Frocester over the line.

Thanks to our away day sponsors TMB, Falcon and Higos.