WEPL Premier 1

Bridgwater 113-2 beat Taunton St Andrew’s 111 by 8 wkts

BRIDGWATER continued their good run of form with a convincing demolition of Taunton St Andrew’s at The Wyvern Club on Saturday.

The game finished as early as 4.45pm, such was the superiority of the visitors.

The game will particularly be remembered by Scott Clapp, who put in a magnificent man-of-the-match performance, picking up four wickets and then smashing a brilliant undefeated half-century at the top of the order.

With Merv Hallaran unavailable, Bridgwater were led by all-rounder Chris Skidmore and he was to lead his side to a perfect start by inserting the home side and then dismissing James Regan in the first over, caught at the wicket by Jason Oakes.

Skidmore and Chris Singleton immediately settled into a decent new ball spell which also saw the latter dismiss Lloyd Alley, well caught by Stephen Davis.

The introduction of Clapp was to firmly wrest the game in Bridgwater’s favour as he picked up Somerset’s Ed Byrom (19), assisted by a decent catch from Josh Vickery, and then had Kevin Parsons lbw to his first ball.

With Andrew Skidmore bowling a miserly spell from the bottom end, Clapp continued to cause havoc for the Saints as he also sent the Jenkins brothers packing in his initial seven-over burst, which left the home side in a hopeless position of 54-6.

After drinks there was no respite for the Saints as the returning Skidmore picked up two wickets in as many balls and, with only Toby Williams-Thomas putting up any resistance with a patient 36, the home side were dismissed for only 111 in inside 37 overs.

Clapp finished with 4-30, Chris Skidmore 4-25, Andrew Skidmore 1-21 and Singleton 1-24.

After drinks, Clapp continued his fine display as he set about the Saints bowlers with aggression in a fine display of clean striking which the hosts had no answer to.

After Liam Kitch fell for eight, Kent’s Calum Haggett joined Clapp and was also aggressive in his approach which saw him hit the boundary effortlessly five times.

With Clapp continuing to entertain, the only surprise was the fall of Haggett to Luke Poole’s off-spin for 28 with the score on 89.

Jason Oakes (9no) then joined Clapp to see his side home with 33 overs to spare with Clapp finishing unbeaten with a classy 54 from only 42 balls with five fours and two sixes.

This was a clinical display by Bridgwater which earned them a superb 21 points, remaining third in WEPL Premier One.

Match ball sponsors: TMB Patterns Ltd.

Bridgwater host Downend at The Parks on Saturday (12.30pm).

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Bridgwater 2nds were beaten at Frome in a top of the table clash in the Somerset Division.

Will Moyse’s 57 helped Bridgwater post 155, which Frome surpassed for the loss of just three wickets as former Somerset man Robin Lett made 86.

On Saturday, Bridgwater travel to Minehead.

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On Sunday, Bridgwater’s progress in the National T20 competition ended as Taunton Deane topped a group also including hosts Shapwick & Polden.

Quickfire knocks from Calum Haggett (49 from 27, 6x6), Jason Oakes (43 from 38, 3x4, 3x6) and Will Moyse (62 from 27, 10x4, 2x6) helped Bridgwater beat Shapwick by eight wickets in the first match.

In their next match against The Deane, the Taunton side were sat on 129-2 after 16 overs when rain came.

Chasing a revised 150 from 16 overs, Chris Singleton fired four fours and five sixes in his 60 from 29 balls but Bridgwater fell 12 runs short.