Uphill Castle lost their latest league match against Butleigh by 44 runs.

UPHILL Castle won the toss and decided to bowl first in their latest league match against Butleigh.

Mitch Fox (6-2-18-0) found it hard to get into rhythm in his first over, but started hitting his line and length which the Butleigh batsmen struggled against. Lewis DeGelas (6-0-37-2) found swing early on and had opening batsmen Drew well caught at mid-on by Keiron Ward.

He then clean bowled Wilkinson to give Uphill their first points of the day. Ward (10-1-34-0) and Markus Bail (10-2-29-3) were then introduced into the attack and this slowed the run scoring as well as Bail picking up three wickets in the process.

Ward and Bail’s spin reduced Butleigh to 95-5 and looking on course to bowling a side out for the first time this season.

Andrews (42) and Smith (39) stuck around as George Chapman (4-0-21-1) and Sam Matthews (3-0-25-0) struggled to get any control. This brought another change in the bowling and the introduction of Dave Millard (4.1-0-24-4) and Andy Llewellyn (4-0-16-0) brought an end to the Butleigh inning on 211 after giving 39 extras.

Millard’s slow loopy bowling proved to slow for the Butleigh tail end as he ripped through the wickets picking up four vital wickets and two important points for Uphill.

After tea, the Uphill innings got off to the worst possible start, with a new opening partnership for the third consecutive game, Millard was judged lbw without scoring. This brought Bail (31) to the crease with Chris Disney (21) and both showed determination and grit to build an innings and chase the score down.

Disney was next to go, adjudged lbw and Llewellyn’s (1) stay was short lived as one kept low and bowled him. This brought last week’s top scorer Mitch Fox (36) to the crease and he looked to attack the bowlers from the outset.

Bail got a leading edge for a hard fought 31. This brought Chapman to the crease and tried to attack the bowlers, but when Fox was caught at square leg, the Uphill innings lost momentum.

Connor Davidson (19 not out) provided the entertainment and more runs to the Uphill innings as Uphill ended on 167.

Uphill are gaining bonus points, but need to win games if they are to finish where they want in the league.