WEPL Premier One

Bridgwater 266-7 beat Clevedon 265-9 by three wickets

A LATE innings blitz from Robbie Montgomery fired Bridgwater to a dramatic three-wicket win over high-flying Clevedon Clevedon in a compelling match at The Parks on Saturday.

The all-rounder took three wickets before smashing 56 from just 27 balls, as the hosts ended a run of four straight defeats with victory in the 48th over.

Montgomery’s knock contained four fours and five sixes and came after former Somerset batsman, Chris Jones had helped Clevedon to a competitive total.

Jones scored an unbeaten 125 for the visitors, as they recovered from 161-6 to post 265-9 from their 50 overs.

Bridgwater elected to field first and made early inroads, with Khan first to go, LBW to Montgomery for 11 - who then grabbed the wickets of Bachelor and Lintott shortly after.

With the score at 37-3 Bridgwater were on top - but Jones had other ideas, and with the support of Connor Crane, began to build a solid platform for Clevedon.

Josh Horler accounted for Crane and the dangerous Solomons – but Jones then started to dictate to the Bridgwater bowlers with shots to all parts of the ground, ably assisted by Jon Lambert and Jake Rowe.

The pick of the bowlers was by far young Chris Singleton 0-33 and Montgomery 3-52 off their allotted 10 overs.

Bridgwater's reply got off to a poor start with the early loss of Chris Gange (6) caught off the bowling of Matthew Carpenter.

But George Bartlett then joined skipper for the day, Andy Hallaran and moved the score onto 87 before Hallaran was caught off the bowling of Adeel Khan for a well played 49.

Mitch Windsor and Bartlett then continued the chase and with 127 required off 19 overs the large contingents of supporters were in for an exciting finish.

Two quick wickets then turned the game, with Bartlett bowled by Masoor Khan for an excellent 64 and Windsor bowled by Solomons for 39.

Daniel Van der Berg and Montgomery then decided to up the tempo and several lusty blows into Northfields and surrounding areas swung the game back in favour of the home side.

Both departed in quick succession, but Chris Skidmore (25no) held his nerve to secure victory runs to loud applause from the home support.

Bridgwater would like to thank match sponsor Charles Dickens Estate Agents and Jeff Searle and also ball sponsor TMB Patterns

Bridgwater travel to Weston tomorrow night (Wednesday, 6.15pm) in the SCB Cup, while Friday evening sees the Barrington Coombes Memorial T20 match played at Taunton Deane (6.15pm).

The T20 final versus Bath, due to be played this coming Sunday, has been cancelled – to be rescheduled.