WEPL Somerset Division

Bridgwater 2nds 238-8 beat Wembdon 195-9 by 43 runs

BRIDGWATER 2nds won the first derby match of the summer between themselves and Wembdon on Saturday.

Bridgwater won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat first, though Wembdon got off to a good start as Matt Hubbard, on his return to The Parks, bowled Dan Rossiter (4) with an in-swinging delivery.

The wicket brought together two of Bridgwater’s most experienced cricketers in Tom Pople and Jonathan Vickery.

Patient when needed, particularly against Brockwell - who bowled consistently without a wicket - the pair were also very quick to punish any loose deliveries in a stand of 82.

Mike Watts had Pople (31) caught but Tom Bellinger (24) and Vickery took Bridgwater to 132 before Nkululeko Serame found the edge of Bellinger’s bat and he was caught at slip by Dan Bingham.

Wickets fell at more regular intervals during the latter stages of the innings but, with wickets in hand, positive strokeplay from Billy Vickery (29), John Hill (33) and Andrew Skidmore (24*) helped Bridgwater post a competitive total of 238.

Jon Vickery finished with 56, while Bingham claimed three late wickets from his six overs.

The Wembdon response got off to a flying start as both Brooks and Lott struck early boundaries to take Wembdon to 44 inside nine overs.

Brooks (12) was the first to be dismissed as he caught and bowled by Tim Hill.

Lowe (15) and Lott (44) moved the score along nicely and Wembdon were only one wicket down after 20 overs - a noticeable improvement from recent fixtures.

Three quick wickets followed, however, as Wembdon found themselves 100-4.

Bingham and Sam Puddy began the rebuilding but found scoring slow with Seth Locke (2-16 from seven) bowling accurately in tandem with leg-spinner James Duckering (2-23).

Running between the wickets remained positive, keeping the score moving, but wickets fell as Wembdon looked to accelerate.

Puddy (5) mis-timed a loose delivery and Liam Pigden, despite landing a big six, soon departed.

Serame struck two quick boundaries but was caught at gully for 11, leaving Wembdon 148-7.

With eight overs remaining, Wembdon needed 10 runs an over but with Watts at the crease the chances of victory increased.

Bingham pushed singles to keep Watts on strike and he struck five quick boundaries to up with the rate.

His cameo of 27 off 19 deliveries gave Wembdon a chance but he was then caught at long-off and Bingham’s dismissal for 28 – a fourth victim for the influential Andrew Skidmore (4-37 from 10) - all but ended their hopes.

Wembdon came up 43 runs short but did bat the full 50 overs for the first time this summer.

On Saturday, Wembdon are at home to Yeovil which should see quite a crowd with the Wembdon Beer, Cider and Music Festival in full flow.

Bridgwater’s next match sees them host in-form Wellington on Saturday.