West of England Premier League
Premier 1
Taunton St Andrew’s 200-4 beat Bridgwater 196 by 6 wkts

BRIDGWATER’S poor final third of the season continued on Saturday, with a six-wicket defeat at home to struggling Taunton St Andrew’s, an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership proving the difference for the visitors.

Bridgwater made a competitive 196, but were once again bowled out without using their allotted 50 overs.

Chris Skidmore made a useful 62 from the top of the innings and Stu Butt added 45, but from 82-1 the home side lost nine wickets for 114 runs, as they struggled to cover for five missing regulars.

Sam Woodland was the pick of the Saints attack, taking 4-24 off nine overs, with Luke Poole claiming 3-29 off 10.

Still Bridgwater looked on course for a home win when they reduced the Saints to 2-2 and 43-4, Skidmore taking 3-46 off nine, but Toby Williams-Thomas (80no) and Rob Contreras (79no) capitalised on the change bowlers in an unbroken partnership of 157 to win the match.

Match sponsor: Bridgwater Town Council; match ball sponsor: TMB Patterns Ltd.

Bridgwater remain in fourth position in Premier 1, however the availability issues of the past six weeks have rendered the final third of the season disappointing.

They finish the season on Saturday at Downend, where a win will secure a respectable finish for 2019.

On Saturday the final league game at the Parks sees the 2nd XI host Minehead from 12.30pm, with music from Jordan Hill at the clubhouse in the evening to see out the 2019 league campaign for all four sides.

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WEPL Somerset Division
Frome 346-4 beat Bridgwater 2nds 136 by 210 runs

BRIDGWATER 2nds were on the receiving end of a chastening defeat at champions Frome on Saturday.

Bridgwater opted to bowl first and promptly watched Scott Lewis and Robin Lett pile on 245 runs for the opening wicket.

Andrew Skidmore, who bowled very tidily among the carnage for 1-32 from 10, trapped Lett lbw for 88 but Lewis went on to 170, with 20 fours and six sixes.

Callum Pope stuck at it and claimed 2-69 from 10 overs but a chase of 347 was going to require a herculean effort.

It was game over almost immediately as Bridgwater slipped to 7-5 in reply, four of those wickets falling to Reece Croker (5-38).

Pope (33), Seth Locke (30) and Rossiter (20) saved the visitors from humiliation but Bridgwater were bowled out for 136 in the 25th over.

Bridgy round off their season at home to Minehead on Saturday.