Frome 1st team made it two wins from their opening two matches after a faultless fielding display inspired them to a 44 run victory against newly promoted North Perrott.
Frome won the toss and decided to bat on what is traditionally a flat batting pitch with a fast outfield so putting a defendable total on the board was going to be key for the visitors.
North Perrott bowled well in the opening stages and got their rewards restricting Frome to 20 for the loss of both openers Paul Sanger and Dan Dredge. David Dredge (51) and Charlie Smith (31) played positive cricket to get Frome back on track. However, both men fell for the same scores as they both made in week 1 allowing the home side right back into the match.
Debutant Sam Croker and Joe Smart looked to rebuild again but Croker was bowled with the score at 131 and the visitors’ innings was in the balance. Sam Wheeler (33) joined Smart (50) and together the pair batted superbly in a partnership of 75 for the 6th wicket including the home side needing to make some building repairs after Smart launched one onto the clubhouse roof.
The visitors were eventually bowled out after 49 overs for a respectable 231 to claim maximum batting points. Frome were going to have to be disciplined with the ball if they had a chance of claiming a win.
In reply North Perrott got off to a good start in their chase. Captain Whorlow was playing some lovely looking shots without looking in any trouble and the home side moved to 34 without loss after eight overs.
The breakthrough came when the impressive Wheeler (1-26) removed Rawle L.B.W for 7. Frome then turned to spin and this changed the game. The away side began to put real pressure on the batters and cut out the boundaries to slow the scoreboard down and North Perrott went into the drinks break at 74 for the three wickets but the dangerous Whorlow was still at the crease.
Whorlow and Symes rebuilt the home sides innings but it was the introduction of captain Mark Sanger which changed the game in the away sides favour.
With the scores getting tight and Perrott needing 8 runs an over for the last 10, Mark Sanger removed the opposition’s captain Whorlow, caught and bowled for a classy (75). Shortly after he dismissed Symes for (51) L.B.W and the game swung Frome’s way.
The wickets continued to tumble and David Dredge picked up three wickets whilst Mark Sanger finished the innings off by clean bowling Trott (3) to claim a five wicket haul and steer Frome to victory.
The Showmen host Wellington next week looking to make it three successive wins at the start of the campaign, the match begins at 1pm.
Mark Sanger
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