Mark Watts took seven wickets for just eight runs, including four in four as he ripped through the Taunton St Andrew batting line up to bowl them out for 69.
In the first game of the new season, Frome captain Mark Sanger won the toss and elected to bat first as they looked to get the season off to a good start and build from their pre season performances.
Openers Paul Sanger and Robin Lett made a positive start to the away sides innings as they looked to pile the pressure onto the bowlers. Frome made it to 56 after seven overs before Paul Sanger (20) was caught behind off the bowling of S.Woodland.
Lett and Richard Potter continued to put runs on the board as the score past 100 in the 15th over. However, a mix up between the two ended up with Lett being run out for 67.
Run outs were a common thing in the Frome innings as Reece Croker was the next man to go for 21, also run out. The home side then began to drag themselves back into the game, reducing Frome to 181-5 with the innings in the balance and Sanders being the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets.
Potter was the glue to the innings which was much needed and reached a well deserved 50 before he was the third batsman to be run out.
Tom Barton put on a late show with Mark Sanger, a partnership of 37 for the 9th wicket, where eventually Barton was the 4th run out of the innings for a quick fire 34 and the away team finished their 45 overs on 256-9.
In reply Taunton St Andrews would have been looking to get off to a steady start in their chase of Frome’s total, but this wasn’t to be the case.
Reece Croker removed both openers M.Jenkins for 7 and Poole for 0 to reduce the hosts to 13-2 and already on the back foot in their pursuit.
The home side then began to build a partnership as Williams-Thomas and S.Jenkins took the score to 59 to get Taunton St Andrews back on track. However, Mark Sanger removed Williams-Thomas, caught at long-off by Barton for a well made 21. This was the start of an unbelievable batting collapse for the home side.
19 year old Mark Watts was brought into the attack and produced the spell of a life time. He first got captain S.Jenkins (11) well caught at mid-off by Sam Croker, but this was just the beginning.
Next to go was M.Woodland (3), L.B.W to Watts, followed by S.Woodland the very next ball. Watts then completed his hat-rick by trapping Sanders in front. He didn’t stop there and he picked up his fourth wicket in four balls when he then got J.Woodland out L.B.W once again. Mark Watts then rapped up the Taunton St Andrews innings claiming the final two wickets and finishing with seven wickets for eight runs from his 6.5 overs, bowling the hosts out for 69 to complete a 187 run victory on the opening day of the season.
Next up for Frome is a home game against Cheddar on Saturday, 1.30pm start, where they will look to continue their winning run.
