Bristol 215 for 8 beat Bridgwater 170 ao by 45 runs. (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bristol 215 for 8 beat Bridgwater 170 ao by 45 runs.

11:05am Sunday 24th July 2011 in Local Cricket

THE seconds’ good run of results came to an abrupt end at home to Bristol on Saturday when Bridgwater got themselves into a winning position in the game only to lose wickets and throw it away.

Bristol chose to bat first and made a good start as openers Blackburn and Durrant punished anything loose.

Ian Higgins bowled a superb early spell for Bridgwater, often beating the bat with no reward to keep Bristol in check.

The introduction of Darryl Cocks in tandem with Higgins stemmed the early flow of runs, and when Higgins was replaced with off spinner Matt Habberfield, Bridgwater began to make inroads into the Bristol batting.

At 80 for 1 at drinks. Bristol were in a good position to accelerate, however good bowling from Cocks and Habberfield kept them in check, the spinner managing to pick up wickets regularly.

Number three Graeme Brown managed to survive and despite playing a very subdued innings, his acceleration in the last 4 overs was to be crucial, as it saw Bristol add 50 to see them to a respectable 215 for 8 off their 45 overs.

Brown remained undefeated on 66, and Habberfield was to be the pick of the bowling with 6-71 from his 13 overs, his last two going for 20.

Higgins also bowled a great spell picking up 1-27 off his 13 overs.

Bridgwater's reply got off to a brisk start as Ali Witts and Liam Kitch punished anything loose to see Bridgwater to 40 inside 7 overs.

When Witts was dismissed, Sealey also shared a stand with Kitch until he was bowled with the score on 68.

Kitch (52) continued to be positive and brought up a deserved 50, but was then stumped soon after.

At drinks Bridgwater were in a good position at 107 for 3, needing 109 off 22 overs.

Ben Whitemore (24) was playing well until a rash shot saw him dismissed, which saw the exertion of pressure from the Bristol spinners that caused Bridgwater to fall behind the run rate.

Cocks was looking good and it looked as though him and Andrew Skidmore were set up for an assault on the target, however the home side then lost 4 wickets inside 3 overs which left them in a hopeless position, eventually dismissed for 170 despite a good last wicket stand from Higgins and Habberfield.

Bridgwater would like to thank umpire Les Smith, Scorer Alan Prowse and Match Ball Sponsors TMB Patterns LTD.