WRINGTON overcame the disappointment of losing narrowly in the semi-final of the Somerset Minor Cup two weeks previously by beating Keynsham by a convincing margin of 67 runs in the semi-final of the Butcombe Brewery Twenty/20 Cup competition.

WRINGTON overcame the disappointment of losing narrowly in the semi-final of the Somerset Minor Cup two weeks previously by beating Keynsham by a convincing margin of 67 runs in the semi-final of the Butcombe Brewery Twenty/20 Cup competition at the Recreation Ground.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, the hosts lost opener Mike Clements in the first over, but this brought in Adam Whiting to join Oscar Wimshurst and the pair proceeded to score freely against some wayward opening overs from the Keynsham attack. A feature of their partnership of 61 in eight overs was sharpness between the wickets, taking every opportunity for quick runs to build a firm basis for the innings.

Wimshurst departed, caught off Bancroft for an entertaining 28, to be replaced by skipper Mickey Edmunds who added a quick-fire 42 with Whiting in just four overs, before Whiting (36), having batted with impressive maturity, fell leg before to Gerrish, the pick of the Keynsham bowlers.

Joined by Marshall Clements Junior, Edmunds continued to keep the score moving rapidly with a series of forceful shots and some enterprising running, reaching 51 off just 24 balls, including three sixes, before losing his wicket in the nineteenth over. Wrington closed at 157- 4.

In response, Keynsham were in trouble immediately against the accuracy of opening bowlers Anton Lovatt and Dan Tapson. Wickets fell quickly and early in the sixth over the visitors had struggled to just 14- 5, four of the victims being clean bowled. Lovatt returned 2-13 and Tapson 3-16 as Wrington maintained control of the match.

For Keynsham, Hill and Bancroft then steadied the reply, but were not able to get close to the required scoring rate in the face of tight bowling and keen Wrington fielding, adding 64 before Hill (32) succumbed to Matt Beck's nagging length. Opposing captain Gerrish was superbly caught by Edmunds off Adam Ford, before, next ball, Seb Williams smartly stumped Bancroft (26 including 22 singles). Ford (2-1) did not complete his hat-trick, and the Keynsham innings closed at 90-9.

Wrington meet Dyrham and Hinton at Weston's ground on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.

The Seconds hosted a youthful Bitton side and kept up their 100 per cent home record while maintaining their title challenge.

Bitton won the toss and chose to bowl, and although captain King expected little in terms of a result, they soon had the home side, who themselves were a little light of batsmen this week, looking worried at three down after 11 overs.

Coach Robinson was joined by skipper McMullen and the two looked to rebuild the innings, knowing it was particularly worth hanging around as long as possible, but also recognised the chance to gain singles from both straight drives as well as wide balls bowled by the youngsters resulting in 39 extras.

Robinson kept the scoreboard moving before eventually being bowled by Coombes (5-0-18-2) for a productive 52. Matt Fowler contributed a useful 17 whileMcMullen, in an innings which included two sixes through extra cover, was eventually removed for an uncharacteristic 51 off 28 overs. Wrington ended up scoring 182, losing their 10th wicket from the final ball of their innings. M Glover was the pick of the Bitton bowlers, with 8-2-19-4.

The game was soon put to bed with Wrington's young and determined bowling attack proving a class above Bittons batting line-up. The opening partnership of Lewis Yule (5-1-15-2) and James Fowler (8-3-10-2) took away any chance the visitors may have had while the first change of spinner Matt Fowler (4.3-2-12-2), who is improving every week, and potentially looking like he could play a big role in Wrington's final push for the championship, wrapped up the tail.

Sam Fowkes was again the pick of the Wrington bowlers finishing with 8-1-16-3, figures which saw him edge even closer to Yule in the team bowling standings. Bitton were eventually bowled out for 56 inside 26 overs with Wrington next facing a trip to Weston.

One more victory will see Wrington guarantee promotion while also keeping them in touch for a championship decider at home to Keynesham on the last day of the season.