10:49am Sunday 25th July 2010
By Mercury sports reporter
HOLFORD gained revenge for their humiliating defeat against Winsford earlier in the season by recording an emphatic victory on Exmoor on Saturday, easing their relegation fears and putting a severe dent in Winsford's title ambitions.
Having bowled Holford out for 44 in May, Winsford did not think twice about asking the visitors to bat first on a soft pitch; a decision which seemed vindicated as Holford crawled to 11-2 in the 15th over in the face of niggardly bowling from Andrew Blackmore (1-23) and Chris Loosemore (2-32).
However, as the third wicket partnership of James Yeabsley (28), who had scored just one run from his first 48 balls, and the belligerent Charlie McKegney (31), found its feet, the runs began flowing more freely.
With wickets in hand, Holford were able to set a challenging target at the end of their 40 overs.
Tasked with reaching a tough total, Winsford slumped to 17-3 in the fifth over against Taylor Buller (2-26) and Will McKegney (2-37).
Neil Mansbridge (27) and James Tapp (25) briefly threatened to launch a revival, but the introduction of Tom Yeabsley into the attack proved fatal for the home side.
Reducing his pace and bowling a stump-to-stump line, Yeabsley cut a swathe through the Winsford line-up, returning figures of 4-19.
With Derek Buller (2-6) picking up two cheap lower-order wickets, the hosts were dismissed for 95 with almost ten overs to spare.
With the two sides above them not playing, Winsford will rue the missed opportunity to return to the top of the table, and must hope that Holford's fine form continues when they host fellow title-challengers Crowcombe at the weekend.
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