WEPL Premier One

Weston-super-Mare 245-2 (50 overs) beat Bridgwater 236 (49.4 overs) by nine runs

BRIDGWATER were at the wrong end of a tight match again as Weston kept their nerve to win by another narrow margin.

On winning an important toss, Weston’s openers, Shabil and Jalal Ahmed, struggled against accurate opening spells from the again unlucky Chris Skidmore and Andy Roberts, who could not force a breakthrough.

It was not until Cam Williams came on that Jalal (31) drove to Steve Davis at cover to begin the Australian’s best spell of the season.

He and Todd Barrett bowled good economic spells, but again the wickets would not come.

After their spells the in-form John Williams powered his way to a hard hit 105 off only 99 balls.

He and Shabil, who carried his bat for 88no, put on 190 runs in yet another massive partnership that just could not be broken by Bridgwater’s toiling bowlers, who were not helped by several dropped catches and a missed stumping.

The innings closed on 245-2 – a very good total on a pitch which is always more difficult after tea.

The visitors needed a big partnership if they were to successfully chase down Weston’s score, but neither appeared as skipper Andy Hallaran was adjudged lbw after hitting three fluent fours.

Chris Gange, missing for eight weeks due to a finger injury, held the innings together with a gutsy 83 as partners came and went, Weston’s slower bowlers working their way through the middle order, aided by some indifferent shots.

Again, it was left to the lower order to give Bridgwater hope, and chasing ten an over in grim conditions they gave it their best shot.

Mitch Windsor struck a powerful 50 off 39 balls with three huge sixes, while Williams added another maximum in his quickfire 13 to leave Bridgwater needing 19 off the last two overs.

It proved too much as they were all out for 236 with two balls to spare, leaving them ruing a bowling performance which allowed Weston to score too many runs in the conditions.

The match travel sponsors were Falcon Vehicle Solutions and Higos Insurance Services Ltd.

This Saturday, Bridgwater travel to Downend.