Frome made it a hat-rick of wins to begin the season, as they beat early season favourites in an impressive performance.
Having lost the toss and being asked to field first, on a traditionally batsmen-friendly wicket, Frome knew they were going to have to put an exceptional performance in to come out on top. North Perrott openers got off to a great start, getting a 50 partnership just after the power play overs until Wheeler found the breakthrough, removing Retter for 25.
This sparked Frome into life again begin to turn the game back into their favour. After Croker and Wheeler bowled well up front, Lett and Mark Sanger took the pace off the ball and continued to tie the North Perrott batsmen down, limiting them to just singles.
The key wicket of Whorlow came in Watts’ first over, trapping him L.B.W for 41. The hosts were reduced to 107-4 when Paul Sanger produced a smart piece of fielding from the boundary to run out Johnson. Henderson held the innings together with a well made 57, and was bowled on the last ball of the innings by the pick of the Frome bowlers Croker (3-44) with North Perrott being tied down to just 187 from their 50 overs.
Frome started their chase in the worst fashion with Lett being bounced out for just 2. However this brought the in-form Croker to the crease who took the sting out of the run chase, including taking one over for 16 runs.
The home side turned to their main men, Henderson and Whorlow, to get the breakthrough.
Whorlow was unable to make any impact, however Henderson removed Croker for quick fire 44. Even though Croker was removed, Paul Sanger continued to take Frome closer to their target at the other end.
North Perrott thought they had a slight chance of swinging the game back in their favour when they took two quick wickets leaving Frome 135-4, however Sanger continued to stay strong and had other ideas.
Frome eventually reached the total with four wickets remaining and with 15 overs to spare. Paul Sanger finished on an unbeaten 69 to steer Frome to a comfortable victory in what was an impressive performance from the whole team. Frome stay in 3rd position and next week host Bridgwater 2nd XI who have also won their first three matches and will pose another stern test for Frome.
Report by Mark Sanger
