Frome 2nd XI beat Biddestone 2nd XI by 92 runs. Frome 2nd XI: 269-1 (40 overs). Biddestone 2nd XI: 177-8 (40 overs
FROME 2nd XI bounced back from the disappointment of last week with a convincing victory against Biddestone.
On a batsmen friendly surface, all of the Showmen top 5 got in on the act in a welcome final pre-season win before their Somerset Division 2 campaign commences next weekend.
After being inserted by the visitors, Frome’s innings got off to a strong start thanks to the powerful striking of Dan Dredge. After an opening stand of 102 with Potter (42) the opener was the dominant force of the innings – making an excellent 102* before retiring. A rapid 65* from Pinchen propelled the score on, before a late innings flourish from Jon Dredge (23*) and Barrow (29*) boosted Frome to a commanding 269-1.
In response the Biddestone innings began impressively, with Walker and Nimalasiri taking the attack to the Showmen in an opening stand of 69. Brown finally accounted for Nimalasiri (31), with another wicket for Wheeler checking the visitors’ progress. Despite falling behind the rate Biddestone rebuilt again, with Walker providing the backbone to the innings as they reached 172-4.
However Wheeler returned at the back end of the innings to dismiss Walker for a battling 77, before bursting through the lower order in a devastating spell of 5-16. The innings finally concluded on 177-8 with Biddestone 92 runs adrift.
A good end to Frome’s pre-season, with all of the batters managing to spend some time in the middle and all of the bowlers getting a decent run out.
Some tougher tests to come as the league swings into gear next weekend, with the visit of Middlezoy likely to provide a stern early test of the Showmen’s promotion credentials.
Next fixture: Saturday 1st May, Middlezoy (HOME), 1:30pm Start
Frome 2nd XI lost to Warminster 2nd XI by 166 runs.
Warminster 2nd XI: 275-5 (40 overs)
Frome 2nd XI: 109 all out (30.3 overs)
A DEPLETED Frome 2nd XI endured a tough day at the office on Saturday, coming up short against a strong Warminster outfit.
Fielding first, the day initially started brightly with Collis (2-43) accounting for both openers to leave the home side on the back foot at 11-2. However, Warminster rebuilt strongly through Tull (86) and Bateman (53) in an attacking stand of 146. Despite a quickfire double from Cox (2-42) seeing off both dangermen, a further onslaught from Larkins (57*) and Davie (27) took Warminster to 275-5.
The Frome innings got off to a stuttering start with the early wickets of Dan Dredge and Bracher leaving the Showmen struggling at 18-2. Jon Dredge (27) led a recovery, however when he departed the Warminster bowlers pounced with Carpenter (3-7) leading the charge.
Collis provided some late order resistance with a battling 27, however further wickets saw the innings subside just beyond the hundred mark – Collis himself perishing as the final wicket fell with 109 on the board. A chastening afternoon for the Showmen.
Frome 2s beat Bradford-on-Avon by 96 runs. Frome 2s: 208-3 (40 overs). Bradford-on-Avon: 112 all out (32.4 overs)
CRICKET made a welcome return to Fromefield on Saturday 10th April as Frome 2s kicked off the 2021 season with a good victory against Bradford-on-Avon.
On a bitterly cold afternoon both sets of players dusted off the cobwebs in an excellent run out, in preparation for the league season commencing in May. After being inserted by the visitors, Frome got off to a strong start, mainly thanks to the fluent strokeplay of Paul Sanger (51*). After retiring, Bradford-on-Avon applied the brakes with the tidy Harrington (2-34) accounting for Unwin. However, useful contributions from Potter (52*) and Jon Dredge (49*) – coupled with a powerful end to the innings from Arthur Harman (29) – boosted Frome to 208-3 at the interval.
A tight start from Collis and Cox kept Bradford behind the rate. However, after Wheeler dislodged Edwards, Harrington (43) and Burrows (21) combined effectively to drag the visitors back into the contest – pushing the score on to 73-1.
Ford (3-31) then broke Burrows’ resistance and two further scalps for the left arm spinner turned the game in Frome’s favour. With the Showmen now in the ascendancy, Harman then blew away the lower order with a destructive spell of 5-8 with Collis returning to take the final wicket and seal a strong 96-run victory. A good start for the Showmen.
