Uphill Castle defeat Bishops Lydeard, helped by the availability of Somerset professional Pete Trego.

UPHILL Castle hosted Bishops Lydeard in the latest round of matches in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League.

Captain Jon Lambert had no doubt about bowling first when he won the toss. Strengthened by the availability of Somerset professional Pete Trego, Uphill took the early initiative with Luke Bliss (3-25) and Simon Webster (2-18) exploiting the conditions.

Bliss gave nothing away, forcing the batsmen to play at every ball, whereas Webster bowled with good pace, leaving the opposition reeling at 60-5 before drinks. But that soon became 60-7 with the re-introduction of Trego who knocked over two more.

Castle were in control and wrapped up the innings with a wicket from Bliss to complete his three wicket haul and Trego claimed his fourth and fifth wickets. Andre Belcher took a fine catch at second slip.

Lydeard only mustered a total of 77, giving Castle maximium bowling points, which included a bonus two points.

With rain forecast Castle went out to bat before tea, looking to seal a convincing win. Trego and Belcher opened the batting and it was Lydeard paceman Mark Thomas who got early success, taking the prize scalp of Trego for 10.

The celebrations were shortlived however, as Belcher (19) and Seb Winn dealt with the majority of the total fairly comfortably. Following a short rain delay and tea, Castle came back out and knocked off the final 20 runs required.

Belcher was adjudged lbw, but this brought Luke Bliss (12 not out) to the crease who hit two massive sixes, and all that was left was for Winn (24 not out) to hit the winnings runs and claim a emphatic eight wicket victory for the home side.

The Beachlands Hotel man of the match went to all-rounder Pete Trego for his excellent figures of 5-13 from nine overs.

BISHOPS LYDEARD

A Sapey lbw Bliss 8

J Burke c Trego b Bliss 17

M Clark b Webster 15

S Johnson c Winn b Webster 9

N Taylor lbw Trego 3

N Farrant b Trego 0

J Hayward b Trego 3

R Tutill b Trego 0

A Smith c&b Bliss 8

M Thomas c Belcher b Trego 5

M Parkman not out 1

Extras 8

Total 77

Bowling: P Trego 9.1-2-13-5; S Brewer 3-0-16-0; L Bliss 10-4-25-3; S Webster 5-1-18-2.

UPHILL CASTLE

A Belcher lbw Smith 19

P Trego b Thomas 10

S Winn not out 25

L Bliss not out 12

Extras 12

Total (2 wkts) 78

The 2nd X1 game against Bridgwater A was abandoned with the game finely poised.

Uphill were invited to bat first on a wet wicket and managed to score a respectable 150 all out thanks to contributions from Williams (27), Bail (23), Jake Llewellyn (23), a generous helping of 28 extras and an entertaining last wicket partnership of 29 between Mark Patch and George Chapman.

Uphill reduced Bridgwater to 41-3 thanks to 3-19 from Mark Patch, assisted by an excellent low catch at short extra cover from Rob Owen and a good catch in the deep by Chapman. The rain then curtailed any further play with the game in the balance.

Beachland’s Hotel man of match was Mark Patch.