Westbury bt Trowbridge by 62 runs – West of England Wilts Div, Sat. 6th June

Westbury travelled to play their local rivals Trowbridge in the latest West of England Wiltshire Division hoping to build on their last two wins in the last two weeks, with these wins Westbury have steadily climbed the table.

Westbury made two changes from the previous week’s win against Malmesbury, with Jake Andrews (on his first team league debut) and Martin Dolman coming in for Dave Wade and Jack Brooks.

Westbury won the toss and decided to bat first. Westbury opened with Mills and MacDonald and they started cautiously, and when the score reached 18 Trowbridge struck when Mills was dismissed for 11.

MacDonald was then joined by Gibbons and he immediately went on the attack and they both played their shots. When the total reached 52 Gibbons was caught for 18.

MacDonald was then joined by the Westbury captain Senneck and they continued to play their shots and the score mounted quickly. When the total reached 155 MacDonald reached his first league 50 of the season and shortly afterwards Senneck reached his 50 off 89 balls.

They took the total to 186 when Senneck was out for 67. Once he was dismissed Lucas was promoted to increase the run rate. The total reached 226 when MacDonald was out for 67. Shortly afterwards Lucas was out for 28.

At the end of their allotted overs Westbury had compiled 237 for 5 wickets. Michael Reynolds had the best bowling figures of 3-43.

When Trowbridge batted they were immediately on the defensive due to some fine fast and accurate bowling by the Westbury opening bowling attack of Senneck and Carroll.They bowled very well and Trowbridge struggled to score runs in so much so that after 28 overs they had only scored 63 for 4 wickets. It was at this time that Julyan and Green led the fight back and they took the total to 127.

Westbury struck and Julyan was out for 62. Once both Julyan and Green were both dismissed the Westbury bowlers eventually bowled out Trowbridge out for 175.

Richard Mills 93-44 off 7 overs) had the best figures, ably supported by Richard Oakley (2-23) and Clark Evans ( 2-26).

This was a fine team performance against their local rivals and with this win they continued to climb the table. The team is beginning to show that they will be thereabouts at the end of the season.