Frome 2nd XI beat Ilminster 2nd XI by 19 runs. Frome 2nd XI: 206-7 (45 overs).
Ilminster 2nd XI: 187 all out (33.4 overs)
FROME 2nd XI returned to winning ways on Saturday in a tense contest against Ilminster.
After working very hard with the bat to scrap up to a competitive score, the Showmen really had to dig deep and fight back with the ball to eventually squeeze over the line.
On a cold and cloudy afternoon, the visitors won the toss and invited Frome to bat first on a dry wicket. The innings soon became a trial-by-spin as Ilminster turned to their slower bowlers to take advantage of the slow surface. After Pinchen went early, Frome rebuilt through Potter (33) and Unwin (22), however both fell in quick succession to leave the Showmen 72-3.
With runs hard to come by Veal and Jon Dredge (25) dug in to instigate a repair job during a crucial 4th wicket stand of 94. Initially rotating the strike to lay a solid platform, both then opened their shoulders towards the end of the innings to add some impetus. Veal (57) in particular was brutal on anything short and brought up a deserved half century as Frome began to assert control, however both holed out to the impressive Craig Rice (3-37) which threatened to check progress. Despite the setback some excellent striking and hard running in the closing overs pushed Frome beyond the 200 mark, the innings closing on a competitive 206-7.
In response Ilminster flew out of the blocks, with opener Robinson in destructive mood – some glorious straight hitting off Frome’s opening seamers powering the visitors to 77-0 inside the first 10 overs. The Showmen needed a lift and the introduction of left-arm spinner Ford made the crucial breakthrough as Warry edged behind. However, Robinson found excellent support in Khan as the aggressive intent continued and Ilminster found themselves in the box seat at 121-1.
Needing to dig deep Frome turned to a double-spin attack of Ford and Veal after seeing the visitors’ early success at taking pace off the ball. Ford finally induced Khan to miscue to mid-on and triggered a stunning comeback as he single-handedly worked his way through the top-order – taking 6-47 as the innings collapsed to 154-6.
With Frome now starving Robinson of the strike the pressure finally told as the opener miscued Veal to long-off for an outstanding 92. Veal (3-33) continued to work his way through the lower order leaving Frome on the brink of victory at 171-9, however the last pair dug in to frustrate the Showmen and eek the visitors towards victory. With the tension mounting Wheeler finally clipped Rice’s off-stump to complete a superb comeback and leave Ilminster 19-runs short.
A superb game and exciting win for Frome leaves them 3rd in the table, with a tough visit to Weston-Super-Mare next weekend seeing the season reach its half-way point.
Next fixture: Saturday 26th June, Weston-Super-Mare 2nd XI (AWAY), 1:00pm start
Humbled by Bridgwater
Frome 2nd XI lost to Bridgwater 3rd XI by 6 wickets
Frome 2nd XI: 156 all out (35.3 overs)
Bridgwater 3rd XI: 157 – 4 (22.1 overs
FROME 2nd XI suffered a first league defeat of the season on Saturday, going down to a strong Bridgwater side.
The Showmen never fully recovered from a bad start with the bat, and despite an admirable fightback were eventually well beaten by the league-leaders.
The home side asked the Showmen to bat on a strangely damp wicket and immediately made inroads. A storming opening burst from Bennie (4-10) blew away Frome’s top order leaving the innings in disarray at 17-4. Cantrell fought hard to lead a recovery, however further strikes from the impressive Bond (2-35) appeared to have broken the resistance as Frome slipped to 60-6.
A stunning innings from Neil Dredge (78) then revived the Showmen, dispatching the bowling to all parts of the ground and dominating a 7th wicket partnership of 87 with Brown to breathe life into the contest. However, when the tall left-hander finally departed the tail folded quickly to leave the visitors with 156 on the board at the half-way stage.
Frome needed to start well with the ball, however openers Netto (35) and Salt – aided by a frustrating number of extras – gave the home side a solid foundation to assert control, putting on 65 for the 1st wicket in quick time. Frome continued to push for wickets however a strong home batting line-up led by the impressive Moyse (41*) continued to play positively.
Further scalps followed however a full-scale comeback was not to be, as Bridgwater stormed over the line inside 23 overs for a convincing 6-wicket victory.
