WESTBURY & District CC hosted Cheltenham CC and after the previous week’s disappointing result against Gloucester City Wingate Westbury were hoping to reverse the result from earlier in the season.
In better than expected weather conditions, with a typically outstanding-looking home wicket, Westbury lost the toss and Cheltenham decided to bat first.
With Carroll and Senneck opening the bowling, Cheltenham got off to a conservative start with runs hard to come by due to the persistently frugal offerings. The Cheltenham opener Duncan succumbed to the pressure being built and was dismissed for just 6 when caught by Oakley off of the bowling of Carroll.
With runs hard to come by, the opposition batsmen dug in to ensure that the Westbury bowlers would not get too far on top and tried to increase the run rate through clever running between the wickets. A wicket however was needed and a bowling change brought this about, with Oakley having the Cheltenham opener Smith caught behind for 24.
What followed was a then a steady but assured partnership between Evans (61 or 91? (nobody was quite sure) and Woodland (41). The Westbury bowlers toiled away with great endeavour, with the impressive Varley putting in an exceptional effort, but with little reward for his exertions. With the partnership building and confidence growing, Mills had Woodland then quickly Sharam both caught to make a dent to progress and the middle order.
With the innings in the balance and a large score looking ominous, Westbury stepped up the pressure in the latter overs. The Westbury captain introduced Coles to the attack and the impact was near immediate. The Cheltenham batsmen were looking to play expansively but the experience of Coles came to the fore. Using variations in flight, swing, seam and length, he was able to keep the batsmen guessing and he soon had the Cheltenham lower order baffled, with what he was going to bowl next (did he know himself?) His mastery over the lower order resulted in bowling impressive figures of 5-37, with the Cheltenham innings closing on 214-9.
On a wicket that was perfect for batting on, Westbury were confident that 214 was not going to be enough runs. With a reshuffle of the batting order, required due to injuries sustained in the fielding effort, Varley went in at the top of the order despite being hampered by a back injury. After a couple of lusty blows and the run rate heading in the right direction, Varley was dismissed by an outstanding one handed catch in the slips from the bowling of Sellers.
Whiting quickly followed and the pressure was mounting under the sustained and effective Cheltenham attack. Mills attempted to steady the ship, demonstrating sound technique and patience as wickets fell around him. Dickinson was bowled, Coles then caught and the Westbury middle order was under pressure and behind the run rate, despite the relatively low total. When Senneck fell for 21 with over a 100 still needed the game was slipping away and the Westbury lower were unable to support Mills in reaching the target. Some lusty blows from Carroll made the scoreboard look more presentable, but the innings closed on 175-9. This was another disappointing loss from a winnable position.
This result has put an effective end to the title hopes of Westbury for the 2017 season. The Eastern Paradise Man of the Match was Rich Mills for his 72 not out and 2-41.
