North Newton 1st XI v Watchet 1st XI

Played at North Newton on Saturday 20th August 2005

Watchet Clinched promotion to Division Two with a five wicket win, away to North Newton - their twelve win of the season.

The home side elected to bat and against some wayward bowling and slack fielding found themselves at 132 for 1 off of 32 overs.

Jason Strong then took two wickets in two overs and in between Andy Pyne (right) took two wickets in two balls to reduce North Newton to 145 for 5.

Matt Stone hit a quick 24 but again Pyne had the answer, bowling him to have the hosts on 184 for 7.

In the following over Liam Woolgrove took two wickets in consecutive balls to give him three wickets for the third week running. Pyne, then, finished off the innings for 185 with fourth wicket of the match.

Opening for the first time this season, Edward Martin was under orders to keep batting whilst at the other end the batsmen hopefully scored freely.

Philip Milton pictured left(22) and Martin Strong pictured right (16) did just that, then with the score at 58 for 3 Clive Strong came in, was dropped first ball and then cruised to 33 before being caught on the boundary.

Newton came back into the game with Watchet at 130 for 5, but Martin eased pasted the half-century mark and finished undefeated on 64, whilst young Jason Strong helped Watchet home with an unbeaten 21.

Martin's marathon effort earned him man of the match award, having stood up to the stumps as wicketkeeper for most of Newton's innings and in front of them for Watchet's.

Watchet's last match of the season is away to South Petherton and the winner will be crowned Division Three champions. Watchet will be without Jason Strong pictured right, who will be on county duty with Somerset Under 15s at the National ECA finals in Northampton.

North Newton: 185 (E. Stone 54, C. Barrington 39, M. Stone 26, A. Pyne 4-50,            L. Woolgrove 3-23).

Watchet: 188-5 (E. Martin 64no, C. Strong 33, P. Milton 22, J. Strong 21no,                M. Habberfield 2-34).

Ever been out first ball? Then join the Primary Club

© Watchet Cricket Club 2005