West of England Premier League 
Premier 1
Lechlade 1st XI 201-8 beat Bridgwater 1st XI 116 by 85 runs

BRIDGWATER were dragged into the relegation dogfight after losing to fellow strugglers Lechlade on Saturday.

After deciding to bat, Lechlade relied heavily on the form of Bradley Dial, who dominated their innings with a fine 95.

He received support from Joe Breet (21) after Chris Skidmore took the early wicket of Ryan Higgins.

Chris Singleton continued the fine work, taking 3-19 in 10 outstanding overs, applying the break and taking wickets at regular intervals.

But, throughout, Dial stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking over while wickets fell around him.

He eventually fell to William Williams but the mantle was taken up late on by Maximilian Mortimer, whose unbeaten 28 saw his side over the 200-mark when the overs ran out.

Williams took 2-41 and Skidmore 2-47 to keep the total in manageable bounds.

When Bridgwater replied, Todd Barrett fell very early as only skipper Merv Hallaran stood firm.

George Bartlett fell for 11 and Singleton 12 before becoming one of Tom Young’s four victims.

The next highest contribution was from No 11 Liam Redrup, who made nine as Bridgwater folded to 116 all out.

Young took 4-31 and Freddie Martin 3-3 off four overs.

The defeat puts Bridgwater just three points ahead of the relegation zone with three matches remaining.

On Saturday, they face a tough trip to Downend (12.30pm start).

***

WEPL Somerset Division
Staplegrove 1st XI 97-6 beat Bridgwater 2nd XI 95 by 4 wkts

BRIDGWATER’S batting woes continued away to Staplegrove, as their line-up failed to total 100.

Put in to bat, Scott Clapp and Liam Kitch reached 23 before Kitch was out for 5.

Clapp hit 24 before being run out and the regular fall of wickets saw them plummet to 57-7.

Andrew Jeanes stopped the rot for a while, hitting 21 before becoming one of former Bridgwater bowler Ian Bishop’s five late victims.

Ian Higgins got to 10 before being the last man out in a total of 95.

Bishop took 5-15 off four and Pete Horton and Paul Hardy took two apiece.

Bridgwater’s bowlers made a good fist of fighting back, having the home side at 55-5 as Scott Clapp (2-14 off eight), Tom Bellinger (2-14 off six) and Matt Habberfield (2-43 off 10) caused a few jitters.

But Bishop came to his side’s rescue again, hitting an unbeaten 28, including two 6s, to see his side over the line.

This coming Saturday, Bridgwater 2nds entertain North Perrott (12.30pm start).