West of England Premier League Premier One

Ashcott & Shapwick 142, Bridgwater 143-8

BRIDGWATER took the opening day bragging rights with a narrow two-wicket victory over local rivals Ashcott & Shapwick on Saturday.

Australian leg-spinner Cameron Williams (3-34) and Scott Clapp (3-22) were the pick of the Bridgwater bowlers as Ashcott were shot out for just 142 batting first.

In reply, Merv Hallaran (41) got Bridgwater’s chase off to a flyer, but his dismissal sparked a minor collapse as Bridgwater slipped from 88-2 to 114-6 – leaving Williams, batting at number nine, to hit the winning runs with nine overs remaining.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Ashcott lost Kamarkar very early on without scoring, as he edged behind to Windsor off the bowling of Skidmore (2-27).

Tinnion became Skidmore’s second victim with the score on 33, before captain Steffan Jones bowled Charlie Vickery for 13 to leave Ashcott 48-3.

Gareth Harte (46) and Ben Rudge (17) set about rebuilding the innings and their partnership had reached 35 when Davis trapped Rudge in front.

From here, the innings collapsed, with Clapp removing Spencer and Edmunds in quick succession.

Harte was the next to go as he became Clapp’s third wicket, before Williams tore through the tail to bowl the home side out for a below par 142.

In reply, Hallaran and Gange started positively and the score had reached 46 when the latter was cleaned up by James Haggett (2-31).

Mitchell Windsor teamed up with Hallaran to carry the score along, but both soon fell to Gareth Harte (3- 23).

Hayman then removed Davis cheaply and Harte claimed a third to leave Bridgwater reeling at 95-5 and bring Ashcott right back into the contest.

Steffan Jones departed for single figures, caught by Lang off the bowling of Haggett – and, with the score on 138, Hayman returned to dismiss Montgomery with five runs still required.

But Williams (4no) held his nerve to carry Bridgwater across the finish line and round off a strong all-round performance on league debut.