Bridgwater’s WEPL Premier One title ambitions were dealt a blow on Saturday with defeat in a very close game at leaders Bath, the hosts creeping over the line by four wickets.
Overnight rain left very wet conditions at Bath and a delayed start to 1:30pm, reducing the overs to 42 per side.
Bath won a very important toss, Bridgwater have only won one from seven this season, with moisture clearly in a green surface, however the visiting openers, the in form Luke Pearson-Taylor and the promoted Harminder Singh, gave Bridgwater an excellent start, taking the attack to the hosts.
Both looked assured and dominant at the crease with Bridgwater racing to 45 in the 8th over before Pearson-Taylor was bowled by Arney for an enterprising 27.
Unfortunately, Singh (15) soon followed and the impressive change bowlers, medium pacers Cadywould and Heywood found the conditions to their liking, extracting regular seam and swing and making life very difficult for the Bridgwater batters.
Charlie Sharland and James Regan negotiated this testing period well, however the pressure finally told with the score on 66 as both fell in quick succession to good deliveries.
This led to a defining moment in the game, as Bridgwater skipper Eckland, looking in good touch, was adjudge caught off a ball that clearly bounced to everyone else at the ground apart from the standing umpire.
When Ryan Thorpe was bowled shouldering arms next ball, the Bridgwater innings was in disarray at 72 for 6 and in need of am almighty rebuild.
Mike Coles (26) and Alfie Ogborne (27) led a spirited fightback, as they both dug in and applied themselves expertly to add 40, however the returning Heywood (5-23) cleared up the tail as Bridgwater chased quick runs, posting a below part 140 from their 42 overs.
Heavy rain at tea delayed the resumption, however Ogborne gave Bridgwater the best possible start dismissing Jack Scrivens for a duck, as Bridgwater came out firing.
With Matt Burton in largely unplayable form, Bridgwater had their tails up, as he was to dismiss Charlie Brain (11) and the dangerous Sam Young (0) in quick succession, and when Dam Williams saw off Ben Church (26), Bath were in some trouble at 49 for 4 and behind on Duckworth Lewis.
Unfortunately, just at the wrong time for the visitors, the rain intervened again, taking the sting out of the game, and also reducing the overs to play, which in turn reduced the Bath target to 129.
On the resumption, Burton then dismissed Harry Ellison to leave Bridgwater in the ascendancy at 66 for 5, with the hosts looking for one further breakthrough to get through the Bath batting.
However, Bath skipper Tim Rouse (31no) stood firm, and with Bridgwater running out of bowling options to suit the conditions, he shared partnerships with South Australia’s Aiden Cahill (18) and James Arney (20no), to usher his side over the winning line in a very tight game.
Bridgwater will rue how they had the rough end of the conditions and decisions, however with a lot of cricket still to be played there is time to mount a serious assault on the title.
The club sends its thanks to Match Travel Sponsors, Dean Motors, and Match Ball Sponsors TMB Patterns Ltd.
Next weekend Bridgwater travel to Taunton St Andrews, with the 2nd XI hosting North Petherton, 12pm start.
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