WEPL Premier 1
Potterne 106-5 beat Bridgwater 105 by five wickets

BRIDGWATER were left to rue yet another lacklustre batting display as they suffered a five-wicket defeat to Potterne at The Parks on Saturday.

Home captain Merv Hallaran elected to bat first and the home side got off to a steady start before Coombes was caught behind with the score at 27. 

Hallaran looked in great touch, however, and dispatched Dylan Higgins over square leg for the first of his four sixes on his way to a fine half century. 

Bridgwater looked to have built a steady platform at 70-2 but, when Hallaran was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for a stylish 52, another dramatic batting collapse ensued. 

Only Will Williams (10) and Chris Gange (12) got into double figures as the home side, missing Somerset duo George Bartlett and Adam Hose, were all out for 105 after losing their last seven wickets for just 35 runs.

Bridgwater’s defence of their low total got off to a great start as Williams (3-14) removed the dangerous Alsop for a duck with the third ball of the innings. 

The New Zealander continued to look a threat and found himself on a hat-trick after dismissing De Souza and Young with consecutive deliveries as Potterne struggled to 30-3 and the hosts sensed an opportunity.

However, visiting opener Tom Cullen (45) steadied the ship for his side as Bridgwater struggled to make the required regular breakthroughs and Potterne edged towards their target. 

The home side were still in the game when Cullen skied a length ball from Liam Redrup (2-27) and the seamer soon added a second wicket.

Potterne chipped away at the Bridgwater total until Basil Akram took a more attacking approach with the visitors reaching the target in the 25th over.

Bridgwater would like to thank PAW Engineering and TMB Patterns for their match day sponsorship. 

The team now travel to Lechlade on Saturday looking to bounce back from this week’s defeat.

BRIDGWATER 2nds were also defeated, losing out by 87 runs at high-flying Weston-super-Mare.

The Habberfield duo of Ed and Matt took two wickets apiece as Weston racked up 239-7, with Simon Green and Matt Howes each notching half centuries for the hosts.

Only Alastair Witts (46) really got going in reply as Bridgwater never threatened to chase down the total, and they were eventually dismissed for 152.

This Saturday, they will look for an improvement at home to Staplegrove.