WEPL Premier 1
Bridgwater 251-8 beat Corsham 174 by 77 runs

BRIDGWATER climbed to fourth in Premier 1 of the West of England Cricket League after Alfonso Thomas turned the clock back to deliver a devastating spell which was too much for Corsham to handle.

The former Somerset seamer claimed 5-33 from 8.5 overs to tear through the hosts’ middle order after Tom Lace had earlier hit a fine 72 in Bridgwater’s 251-5.

The visitors lost the toss and were asked to bat first, a decision which looked a wise one when Bridgwater captain Merv Hallaran fell with the score on 25.

However, Todd Barrett joined Lace and the pair added 83 for the second wicket before Lace fell for a 78-ball 72, an innings which included 10 fours and two 6s.

Barrett was next to go, stumped from the bowling of Tom Foley for a patient 28, but Stuart Butt (36), Alfonso Thomas (27) and Alistair Witts (26) helped the away side finish their 50 overs on 251-8.

Bridgwater’s total was also boosted by some friendly opposition bowling, with 42 Extras provided by the Corsham attack.

Thomas then got to work with the ball, dismissing opener Vibhor Yadav early before clean bowling Joseph King and Romano Esau with successive deliveries to leave the hosts struggling on 46-3.

Liam Redrup (2-26) ensured the bowling display wasn’t a one-man band as he removed Charley Reed for 17 and, though Sam Collier (50) and Ashur Morrison (38) momentarily stemmed the tide, the destination of the points was put beyond reasonable doubt when Morrison was run out to leave the score 131-5.

The lower order offered little resistance, with Thomas returning to complete his five-wicket haul as the victory was wrapped up with 6.1 overs to spare.

Bridgwater now face a tough task on Saturday as they head to league leaders Bath, who have lost just once in nine matches so far and won the reverse fixture at the Parks on the opening day.

THERE was further success for Bridgwater in last Thursday’s SCB Knockout T20 competition quarter-final as they thumped Wellington by eight wickets.

Alfonso Thomas was on fine form again, taking 4-17, while Chris Skidmore claimed 3-14 as Wellington limped to 107-8.

Skidmore then opened the batting and blasted 60 from just 25 balls, including four 4s and six 6s, as Bridgwater reached their target for the loss of just two wickets with over half the innings remaining.

Merv Hallaran (22) and Stuart Butt (10*) helped Skidmore along the way as the hosts closed out a convincing victory to reach the last four.

WEPL Somerset Division
Bridgwater 2nds 78-3 beat Chard 74 by seven wickets

AN excellent bowling display saw Bridgwater dispatch struggling Chard with a minimum of fuss on Saturday.

A terrific spell of 5-13 from Ian Higgins saw Chard, who chose to bat first, slump to 35-8 at the Parks before Chris Scott (26) and Nathan Warren (17) helped them to 74 all out.

Dominic Court (26) and Liam Kitch (30) added 50 for the first wicket in reply and, though they and Jonathan Vickery were dismissed, Bridgwater passed the target after just 13.4 overs as the match came to a premature end.

On Saturday, Bridgwater 2nds host Temple Cloud.