Watchet Cricket Club

Watchet 1^st XI v Huish & Langport 1^st XI

Watchet made a great start to their Division Three season with a five wicket win over Huish and Langport at the Memorial Ground.

Batting first, Huish were soon on top as both openers made 20s and after 20 overs were on 89-2 and looking for a big score.

Steve Paul top scored for the visitors with 85 before Andy Pyne had him stumped by Clive Strong.

With Norman Yaw, pictured left, conceding only 26 runs from 9 overs and Martin Strong 19 runs from 6 overs, Huish's run rate soon became more moderate on an excellent batting track.

They closed their 45 overs with a total of 205-5 as Pyne and Jason Strong also played their part in keeping the run rate down.

In reply, Watchet lost two early wickets before Matt Lovell and Chris Sully took the total to 39, when Sully was caught for a determined 15.

Clive Stong, pictured right, joined Lovell and their two contrasting styles of batting tore Huish apart in the next 18 overs, Lovell pushing singles and Strong blasting boundaries around the ground.

Huish used seven different bowlers but none had any answers as the pair put on 141 for the fourth wicket.

Strong put six6s high into the trees along the railway line, with 26 runs coming from one over, and it was fitting that his century came up with another six, but soon after Griffiths claimed his wicket for 108.

Lovell only lasted another three balls before being dismissed for an excellent 43, but it wasn't long Watchet hit the wining runs with five wickets and nine overs remaining.

Huish and Langport: 205-5 (S. Paul 85, T. Pople 28, J. Bulpitt 26).

Watchet: 209-5 (C. Strong 108, M. Lovell 43, S. Griffiths 3-26).

Points: Watchet 30, Huish and Langport 15

Watchet Innings

© Watchet Cricket Club 2005