Three wicket win for the seconds

WESTON seconds recorded a three wicket victory at Bristol.

After winning the toss, captain Will Whitell had little hesitation in asking the home team to bat on a damp wicket, a decision that looked questionable as Bristol got off to a flyer with Shazil Mustafa (34) and Lisle Durrans finding the gaps.

The introduction of Allen to the attack saw the rate drop drastically as the Bristol batsmen struggled and with Curley (12-1-59-0) introduced from the other end, Weston started to get on top.

Pressure brought the wickets of Richard Morrison (10) and Ryan Pietersen (20), falling to Allen (13-4-24-2) and Stu Roberts (6-0-26-1). Playing a lone hand at the other end was Durrans, who in the end completed a fine century, finishing on 105 not out of his teams total of 189-4.

In reply, Weston got off to a poor start as Whitell was caught at cover for just one. The recovery was led by Sam Curley and Andy Logan (17), guiding the team to 40-2 before Logan was dismissed. Ian Wheaton (62) joined Curley, and although he enjoyed some good fortune, the pair continued to keep up with the rate.

Curley’s innings came to an end for 39 leaving Wheaton to register his first 2nd XI 50 for Weston, supported by Paul Stringer whose run a ball 34 took the game away from the home side.

A procession of quick wickets with the finishing in line in sight gave Bristol brief hope, before Mitch Smit (9 not out) secured the victory for Weston.

Intouch CRM man of the match was Ashley Allen.

? Weston thirds made it seven wins from eight games with a comfortable eight wicket victory at Wembdon 2nds.

Stand-in skipper Mike Lee won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that looked vindicated as Wembdon soon found themselves in trouble in the face of some accurate bowling from Alex Penwill (8.4-4-13-4) and Justin Turner (12-2-38-2).

Pete Lomax (7-3-22-2) soon got in on the act, reducing Wembdon to 62-8. It was left to Will Pope (41 not out) to marshal the tail to some respectability as Wembdon were bowled out for 111.

In reply, Weston had little difficulty knocking off the runs despite the early loss of Mark Bissex as Pete Lomax (42) and Matt Blamire (40 not out) both continued their good recent form. Lomax fell within five runs of victory allowing Simon Biddle to join Blamire and secure the maximum 35 points.

Intouch CRM man of the match was Alex Penwill.

? A nice sunny day saw the Eaglets arrive on the East Ground for their away match against Belvedere 3rds. Losing the toss saw the Eaglets batting on a slow variable pitch.

Things got off to a good start when Sam Jennings’ (5-0-38-0) first over went for 12, only to be followed by Paul Davis (9-1-21-1) removing Pete Hooper for zero. This saw Simon Biddle (63) join Jon Lawrence (45) in the middle for a 68 run partnership for the second wicket.

Lawrence fell in the 16th before Josh Knight (16) and Biddle took the score to 123 before Biddle fell on 63 in the 25th over. Things slowed down with the remaining wickets adding only 43 runs in the next 18 overs as Eaglets finished on 164.

CJ Neate was the pick of the Belvedere bowlers returning 6-2-10-3.

In return, Belvedere got off to a reasonable start with Loud (22) and Neate (5) putting on 28 for the first wicket. Rhys Crocker (6-2-5-1) broke the opening stand and the introduction of Terry Horler (5.3-4-5-6) into the attack soon took care of the next two wickets, with Woodall joining in the act removing Loud for 22.

Josh Knight (3-1-5-2) came on to remove Brees with his first ball. Horler and Knight accounted for eight Belvedere wickets in only eight overs before Belvedere finally capitulated with only 44 on the board, the last 9 wickets falling for only 16 runs in 10 overs.

InTouch CRM man of the match was Terry Horler.

? This week sees the first XI travel to Taunton Deane (1pm start), while the seconds host their Deane counterparts at Devonshire Road (1:45pm). The third XI host tenants Belvedere (2pm), whilst the fourth team take on the touring Matfield Green (2pm) in a friendly at Clarence Park.