CRICKET: Will Smeed stars as Bridgwater beat Taunton St Andrews

BRIDGWATER travelled to Taunton St Andrews on Saturday, looking to get their shortened season off and running after last week’s washout at The Parks, writes Scott Sealey.

Captain Stuart Butt won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.

Bridgwater lost both openers and then a third wicket, and were wobbling on 68-3, but with Will Smeed looking in excellent touch runs were still flowing.

Ned Leonard departed for a bright 21 after a direct hit saw him short of his ground, which bought skipper Butt to the crease at 98-4.

Smeed maintained his aggression while Butt supported sensibly, as the pair put on over 100 as a partnership.

Young Somerset prospect Smeed went to an excellent hundred from just 55 balls, and although Butt departed for 36, Chris Skidmore joined Smeed and promptly started dispatching the ball around the ground with him as the scoreboard raced on.

Smeed was eventually dismissed for 137 from just 76 balls - a truly exceptional knock.

Chris Skidmore (39 from 22), James Hayes (13*) and Andrew Skidmore (14*) ensured that Bridgwater made a massive 313-7 from their 40 overs.

The hosts started brightly in their reply but three quick wickets reduced them to 34-3 and it was soon to be 48-4 as Bridgwater took full control - Hayes and Chris Skidmore taking two wickets apiece.

Only Justin Burke (53) provided any real resistance as Andrew Skidmore took one wicket and Max Toohey two, before the returning Chris Skidmore claimed three more wickets to end up with 5-40, as Bridgwater won by 113 runs.

Match ball sponsors: TMB Patterns Ltd

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Covid Group D
Bridgwater II 253-9 beat Taunton St Andrews II 102 by 151 runs

BRIDGWATER 2nd XI recorded their second victory in WEPL’s ‘Covid Group D’, with a 151-run victory over their Taunton St Andrews counterparts at The Parks.

Before the game the players from both sides paused for a minute’s reflection for two long-standing members of the club who have sadly passed away recently - John Philpotts and Kerry Newman.

Home captain Alastair Witts chose to bat first on a good wicket, and John Hill and Scott Clapp started well, with veteran Clapp scoring a quickfire 25 before falling with the score on 32.

Jonathan Vickery joined Hill and the pair put on a match-defining partnership of 99, with Vickery looking in glorious touch as he caressed the ball to all parts.

Hill was out for 31, bowled by Toby Williams-Thomas, who returned 2-34 in a tidy spell of spin bowling.

Tom Allcoat came in alongside Vickery and they increased the run rate further until Vickery departed for a fine 88, with 14 fours and a six.

Saints’ Freddie Wolfenden (3-31) returned and picked up two wickets, including Allcoat for a hard-hit 40 from 30 balls.

The run rate then slowed as wickets fell regularly, but Bridgwater posted a more than competitive 253 from their 40 overs.

Ian Higgins and Dan Rossiter started well for the home side with the ball, as Higgins showed great control in picking up 3-18 from his eight overs.

Rossiter backed him up well, taking 1-13 from his opening burst to leave the visitors reeling at 22-4.

Although the home side dropped a couple of chances, Clapp (2-26) and Matt Habberfield (1-26) returned tidy spells from their allotted overs.

Allcoat picked up 2-16 from three overs, before Rossiter (2-13) returned to take the final wicket and dismiss the away side for 102.

A large crowd full of families enjoyed another great day of local cricket at The Parks.

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Covid Group C
Wellington 172-5 beat Wembdon 171-9 by 5 wkts

WEMBDON suffered defeat at home to Wellington on Saturday, as the visitors came away with a five-wicket win with over two overs to spare.

Wembdon chose to bat first and Sam Puddy (29) carted a huge six as part of 16 runs he took off one over, but Jack Beal induced him to play on.

His fellow opener, former Wellington player Tom Brooks (14), was caught behind, and while Siya Sowati (28) looked good in the middle order, he was run out in a calamitous manner with skipper Jonathan Brockwell.

Rob Dickins hit 31 but Neil Hendy claimed 5-30 off eight overs to restrict Wembdon to 171-9 from their 40 overs.

Sam Whitefield made 20 and Alex Sparks (22) in the reply, but at 59-3 Wellington had to consolidate.

Skipper Arron Campbell was always building an innings and in the end his 42* was invaluable for his side, as he, Luke Desave (37) and Beal (16*) completed the run chase.

Harry Woolway, with 2-36 in eight overs, was Wembdon’s best bowler.

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SHAPWICK & Polden suffered a seven-wicket loss at Chard, in Group D.

Opting to bat first, Shapwick were all out for 207, with Wayne Spencer falling just two runs short of a century; Reid Mawdsley claimed 4-39 for the hosts.

Mawdsley then made 78* in Chard’s reply, as he and fellow opener Harvey Dening (100) made hay.

Despite the efforts of Harry Love (2-25), Shapwick were unable to prevent the home side cruising home in 27.2 overs.