Bridgwater 2nd XI 186 beat Taunton St Andrews 170 by 16 runs (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater 2nd XI 186 beat Taunton St Andrews 170 by 16 runs

1:00pm Thursday 1st September 2011 in Local Cricket

Bridgwater continued their winning form as Tim Hill was the hero for the home side, taking 5-44 in a 16-run victory over Taunton St Andrew's.

Stand-in captain Tom Pople lost the toss and a much-changed Bridgwater side were put in to bat in a shower of drizzling rain.

The Saints got off to a dream start as Lawrence dismissed Kyran Devitt in the third over. With Bridgwater at 4-1, the in-form Ben Whitemore strode to the crease, and working with the ever impressive Liam Kitch, the pair took the score to 34.

Kitch was caught at backward point but it was the next partnership which would be key for Bridgwater. Ally Witts stablisised the innings and saw Bridgwater maintain their high run rate.

With the total at 97-2, Whitemore (36) and Witts (44) both fell to loose shots to the spin pairing of Barrett (1-57) and Driver (2-33) respectively, which left Bridgwater at 113-4 at the half-way stage.

Andy Skidmore and skipper Pople set about rebuilding the innings, punishing any bad deliveries. In another collapse of wickets, Skidmore was bowled by Driver for 10 and Ed Berry was run out with Bridgwater now 147-6 from 33 overs.

More spin was introduced in a bid to stifle the Bridgwater scoring rate and Poole (3-11) took two wickets in his first over. The vital wicket of Pople, who played well for his 26, was the first to fall, shortly followed by Chris Singleton.

Bridgwater were now 160-8, disappointing after a strong start. However, a late cameo from Kieran Winsdor saw some much-needed boundaries and allowed Bridgwater to post a defendable 186.

The Saints' reply began well as some hitting from Parsons saw the away side reach 50 in the first nine overs. However, two wickets in an over from the impresssive Hillshifted the momentum in Bridgwater's favour.

The dangerous Parsons (36) was removed by an outstanding catch by Witts and another catch in Hill's next over saw the Saints reduced to 58-3.

Kieran Windsor replaced Hill, and maintained the pressure; Whitemore was also brought into the attack and was to have an immediate effect, taking three wickets in his first two overs reducing the Saints to 75-6 after 17 overs and taking the important wicket of Barrett for 26.

Windsor took the seventh wicket to a good, low catch from Devitt bringing Clatworthy to the crease. The Saints needed 97 runs with three wickets remaining but, batting in partnership with Driver, Clatworthy timed the ball well and saw the Saints edge towards the target.

Skipper Pople saw it was time for a change and youngster Hill along with the left-arm seam of Chris Singleton, returned to the attack.

It provedan inspired decision as Hill took the crucial wicket of Clatworthy (37) in his first over with a superb diving one-handed catch behind the stumps from skipper Pople.

Poole (six) was then run out looking for a quick single and, with the score at 156-9, the Saints now needed 30 runs from 13 overs with Driver still at the crease.

Hill was to be the match winner when he took his fifth, and the Saints' final wicket in the 39th over to a good catch from Kitch.

The victory was a superb effort from a young Bridgwater side who stuck at their task well under considerable pressure at times.