Watchet Cricket Club
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Ilminster "A" v Watchet 2nd XI May 20th 2006
Watchet's second string secured a third victory in a row since the start of the season with a 34-run win over Ilminster A in overcast and damp conditions last Saturday.
Having lost the toss and being put in to bat openers Pete Manley and Ryan Strong gave the side a solid start on a slow pitch with some variable bounce, with Strong falling for 11 in the 9th over, caught when a ball stopped on him and he could only loop it to short extra cover.
It was essential that the batsmen dug in, and fortunately for Watchet skipper Manley played some excellent shots whilst wickets fell around him, with his eventual 86 representing some 54 more runs than any other player managed on the day.
He was aided in the most part by David Milton who hammered a quick-fire 21 in a 6th wicket partnership of 39, which was to prove vital in the final reckoning. The tail failed to wag and Watchet's innings closed on 161, a competitive total given the conditions. Lee was Ilminster's most penetrative bowler, taking 5 for 47.
Watchet had Ilminster on the back foot from the very start, with Strong grabbing a wicket with only his second ball of the day thanks to a superb low catch at slip by Milton. Tight ground fielding and some good catching meant that Watchet kept their grip and when Warren Knight had dangerman Crawley bowled for 26 in a parsimonious spell of 1 for 5 in 5 overs Ilminster required 113 off of 26 overs, a very tall order.
Watchet continued to take wickets at regular intervals, keeping control as well as incision as Tayler Maddock showed with his 3 for 24 which included three consecutive maidens at the start of his spell. Pick of the bowlers was Chris Wookey with 4 for 49, with Milton getting the other wicket thanks to an example of circus skills by Wookey on the long-on boundary, taking four attempts before finally grasping the ball.
Despite a scare from the last pair who clattered a speedy partnership of 30 Watchet held their nerve and came out on top thanks to Manley's individual contribution with the bat and an excellent team performance in the field.
The win takes Watchet within one point of top of the table Huish and Langport, with the sides facing off at Watchet next weekend.
Watchet 2nd XI: 161 (P Manley 86, I Lee 5-47)
Ilminster "A": 127 (N Warrey 32*, C Wookey 4-49, T Maddock 3-49)
Points: Watchet II 33, Ilminster A 16
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© Watchet Cricket Club 2006