WEPL Premier One
Bridgwater 1st XI 204-8 beat Downend 203 by 2 wkts

BRIDGWATER recorded their second win on the bounce with a closely-fought victory over Downend on Saturday.

On a scorching day at The Parks, Bridgwater were asked to bowl first by the visitors and it soon looked as if it would be a batman’s day as Downend raced to 70-0. 

However, the introduction of Liam Redrup into the Bridgwater attack forced the breakthrough as Gilmour (42) was well caught at point by Andrew Skidmore. 

Redrup (3-30) bowled Penn for a duck two balls later before picking up the valuable wicket of Gloucestershire batsman Ian Cockbain (9) with a near-unplayable delivery as the home side turned the screw.

Chris Singleton looked dangerous, removing Grieshaber (48) on his way to figures of 2-35 from nine overs, and there were also wickets for Todd Barrett (2-18), Chris Skidmore (2-36) and Will Williams (1-43) as Downend struggled to 203 all out, thanks to some accurate bowling and good fielding from the home side.

In reply, Bridgwater lost skipper Merv Hallaran (5) in the second over as he was caught at second slip off the bowling of Reynolds-Pringle. 

Barrett (46) looked fluent as he and George Bartlett steadied the ship for the home side before the latter was out, playing on to his own stumps from a Phil Jackson delivery.

When Barrett departed with the score on 92-4, Bridgwater again looked as if a collapse may ensue, but Singleton (39) and Chris Skidmore batted superbly to get the home side within touching distance. 

The pair looked solid but also kept the scoreboard ticking over until Singleton was unfortunately run out for a well-made 39.

Skidmore took a particular liking to the off-spin of Cockbain with his match-winning knock of 52 not out including three 4s and five 6s. 

Andrew Skidmore joined his brother at the crease with 21 still to win and only two wickets in hand but the pair crept the home side closer, eventually hitting the winning runs in the 45th over to wrap up a crucial win for the home side. 

Bridgwater would like to thank Bridgwater town council and TMB Patterns for their support this weekend. 

On Saturday, the 1st XI entertain second-placed Clevedon at The Parks (12.30 start).

BRIDGWATER 2nds were also involved in a close match as they lost at WEPL Somerset Division leaders North Perrott by four wickets.

Liam Kitch (38) top-scored in the visitors’ total of 186-9 but, despite Ed Habberfield’s 2-19 from 10 overs, the home side passed the target with just two balls to spare as the match reached a nail-biting conclusion.