Frome managed to get back to winnings ways with a convincing 74 run victory away at Butleigh on Saturday.
Having won the toss and deciding to bowl, Butleigh would have been looking for early wickets to put pressure on Frome, who were without a victory in the previous four outings. However, openers Paul Sanger and Sam Crocker gave little away and a partnership of 69 got Frome off to a solid start before Sanger was caught for 25.
David Dredge joined Crocker and together batted with ease and their stand of 89 got Frome into a position to get a big total with their long batting line up. Crocker was finally dismissed LBW for 51, shortly followed by Dredge for the exact same score.
The in-form batters of Gullock (41) and Smart (39) looked to push the Frome innings on with some intent running between the wickets and some usual big blows from Smart.
Charlie Smith added a little cameo at the end of the Frome innings to add some momentum by getting 24 not out. Captain Durston picked up four and Hicks got three of the Frome wickets but 56 extras contributed to Frome’s total of 296-9.
In reply the visitors knew a couple of early wickets could put the game to bed early on, but Butleigh batted well up front before Watts for 16 and the home side moved on to 89 before the second wicket fell when Craig Dredge removed Burrow for 16.
The drinks break brought the start of a collapse for Butleigh with David Dredge running Higgins out for zero with the first ball after the break.
Weeks came out fighting hitting a couple of big sixes including one through a car window but was finally outdone by Crocker for 22.
Butleigh then frustrated Frome with two wickets remaining when Growden and Halway put on 67 of the ninth wicket as Frome struggled to get through. The showmen finally broke the partnership when Watts again got Halway for 35 and Wheeler finished the innings off by picking up his first wicket.
David Dredge always starred with the ball and he was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-35, as Frome completed a regulation victory.
Although Frome picked up maximum points, they will go away with a lot of things still to improve on as they host North Perrott next Saturday at Fromefield, 1pm start.
