WEPL Premier 1

Bedminster 218 beat Bridgwater 132 by 86 runs

AN improved bowling and fielding performance from Bridgwater saw them dismiss their hosts for 218 at a windy Clanage on Saturday, but the Bedminster attack used the conditions expertly themselves to record an emphatic win.

Choosing to bat first, Bedminster openers Kamuni (51) and Drissell (32) put on 74 for the first wicket before the former was trapped in front by Chris Singleton.

The score had moved to 122 before Drissell fell, superbly caught down the leg side by Jason Oakes, the first of his four victims.

Bridgwater’s bowlers upped their efforts as wickets started to tumble regularly with only Tom Price (31) and Tom Smith (27) making any real contributions.

The visitors were pleased to have bowled out the home side for 218 with Singleton (4-46), Max Waller (3-43) and Andy Skidmore (2-49) grabbing the wickets.

As in the previous week, Bridgwater simply had to bat their overs to give themselves an excellent chance of a win but, as they did last week, they failed to do so.

Bedminster’s Tom Price (6-13) had a golden day as he helped reduce Bridgwater to 29-5, then 83-9 as only Waller (27) and Stu Butt (20) offered any early resistance.

Singleton (35no) continued his good form and added 49 for the final wicket with Ian Higgins (14) in an enterprising partnership.

That earned Bridgwater a valuable batting point but again the top order batting had failed to make any impression, condemning them to their third defeat of what is proving to be yet another very mixed season.

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WEPL Somerset Division

Bridgwater 2nds 167 beat Wellington 153 by 14 runs

BRIDGWATER 2nd XI ran out winners by 14 runs in a close game with Wellington at The Parks on Saturday.

Bridgwater lost the toss, were inserted and soon lost Scott Clapp to Luke Desave.

Dom Court (29) and John Hill (19) batted well to add 53 for the next wicket, and the large crowd started to buzz as Court hooked a six to increase the scoring.

The fall of both wickets started a collapse, though, and Bridgwater were in trouble at 59-4.

Billy Vickery (15) dug in for the hosts, although the star role was led by Chris Skidmore.

Despite wickets tumbling around him he played a lone hand, scoring 72 with seven maximums.

Bridgwater were dismissed for a below-par 167 in the 36th over, with Desave (3-26) and Neil Hendy (3-25) doing the damage.

The Bridgwater bowling attack started well after tea, Tim Hill and Kieran Windsor setting the tone for the second innings by removing an opener each.

The introduction of Clapp made an immediate impact as he claimed two wickets.

The fielders backed the bowlers up well, including a scintillating run out from Skidmore to remove the dangerous Jack Beal.

The miserly Matt Habberfield (0-9 off eight) and medium pace of Skidmore (2-9 from six) turned the game towards the home side but Wellington edged closer to the target until Sethan Locke removed Aks Latifi.

Clapp (3-30) returned to take his third and Hill bowled Will Derrick to win the game and finish with 2-37.