WEPL Premier One Second XI

Bridgwater 2nd XI 246-7 beat Bristol 243-9 by three wickets

A FINE unbeaten century from Jonathan Vickery fired Bridgwater 2nd XI to a commanding three-wicket victory over Bristol at The Parks on Saturday.

Vickery scored exactly 100 from just 84 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes as Bridgwater successfully chased Bristol’s 243-9 inside 40 overs.

John Hill (62) provided strong support at the other end with a steady half-century – and a minor middle-order collapse wasn’t enough to derail the innings as Bridgwater recorded their seventh win of the season.

Earlier, Tim Hill (4-41) and Scott Clapp (2-42) were the pick of the home attack with six wickets between them – but a late assault from Joshua Dann (56 from 43 balls) and an unbeaten 42 from Simon Birch, helped Bristol to an imposing total batting first.

It was an impressive recovery from visitors, who had found themselves 114-5 thanks to some impressive bowling from Hill and Clapp.

In reply, Bridgwater started well with Ben Coombes (22) and John Hill taking the score past 50 at a good rate.

Coombes was the first to depart, clean bowled by Birch, but a 69-run stand between Hill and centurion Vickery, kept Bridgwater on course.

Steve Davis added a quick-fire 24 after Hill had been dismissed, but Vickery continued on his merry way, dispatching the Bristol attack to all parts as Bridgwater passed 200.

Davis, Alistair Witts, Tom Pople and Scott Clapp all fell in quick succession, to offer Bristol a glimmer of hope, but Vickery wasn’t to be stopped and saw his home with over five overs to spare, bringing up his hundred in the process.

On Thursday, July 2, The Parks hosts the SCB Major cup competition clash between Bridgwater and Taunton, 6.15pm start – before hosting the ECB Regional T20 Final between Bridgwater and Bath on July 19, 2.30pm start