Frome travelled to table-toppers North Petherton looking to build on the positives they gained from the previous week. However, the mistakes and poor performances returned ending in a 5 wicket loss.
Frome won the toss and decided to bat on what looked a good North Petherton wicket, but the innings started poorly. Both openers were removed by Knight cheaply.
David Dredge and Ryan Gullock looked to rebuild the Frome innings but Dredge topped edge one off Lewis Irish for 25 and then he clean-bowled Gullock for 12 leaving the visitors in real trouble.
Smith and Smart batted well together, running hard as well as the odd explosive blow from both to get Frome back on track until the dismissal of Smith created an unbelievable Frome collapse.
The last five wickets of the innings fell for just 4 runs leaving Frome bowled out for 145, with 7 of their overs still remaining. Lewis Irish was the pick of the home side’s bowlers finishing with 3-21 off his 10 overs.
North Petherton came out looking to make the most of the powerplay overs and chase the target down as quickly as possible. Lloyd Irish came out blazing, take 22 runs off the second over of the innings.
Craig Dredge was soon introduced to the attack and picked out the wicket of Irish, bowling him for a quick fire 29. Wheeler (1-23) and Dredge (3-20) bowled superbly up top and caused the top order problems and took the first four wickets of the innings, giving Frome a chance.
A big moment in the match came when Knight was dropped at slip which would have left the hosts in trouble at 70 for the loss of five but only remained four down.
Knight and Rhoda knocked the ball around well, frustrating the away side, then another big chance came for Frome but once again Knight was dropped at long-on.
Rhoda was finally dismissed by captain Mark Sanger, well caught at slip by Wheeler for 37, but the damage had been done. Knight went on and finished the innings 52 not out and saw his side to a comfortable victory.
The showmen were very frustrated with their performance with the bat and in the field again but their were lots of positives with the ball.
Mark Sanger
Frome Cricket Club
