Westbury & District Cricket Club travelled to Biddestone on Saturday 30th of August, in the last game of the WEPL season.
Unfortunately, the game was abandoned after just 27 overs with the Westbury score on 196-7 due to persistent rain. There were key contributions with the bat from Charlie Rumistrzewicz 51 runs, Fraser Moore 57 runs and Luke Dilena 25 not out before the rain arrived.
After winning promotion in 2024 the goal set by the first team was to avoid relegation. A couple of new additions joined the tight-knit team at the start of the season. It was a tough start to the season for Westbury with the standard being significantly higher than the league below, which resulted in zero wins in the first six games despite being competitive in most games. Westbury’s resilience paid off with two wins out of the next three to get the season back on track at the halfway point of the season.
The season defining game was the 13-run victory away to local rivals Trowbridge. This win led to four wins in a row that included victories over the top two teams in the league. Every single player made key contributions during the season, but it was the team’s fighting spirit and determination that meant they were safe from relegation with one game remaining.
Fraser Moore finished as the 1st team leading run scorer with 468 runs from 12 innings at an average of 52 including scoring five 50s in his last six innings. Eight other players scored at least one league 50 this season to go with Charlie Rumistrzewicz’s 123 against Winsley.
It was spin all the way when it came to the bowlers with Tom Lucas, Javon Grosvenor and Rumistrzewicz all taking more than 20 league wickets. The 1st team will be looking to build on this success in 2026 with their eyes set on a top half finish.
The 2nd team had a solid season in the Wiltshire County League Division 5 finishing with six wins, seven defeats and one tied match to finish in fifth place.
Ben Whitting finished as the leading run scorer for the 2nd XI with 615 runs that included three 100s. With the ball Jebin George lead the way with 23 wickets followed by Sanjay Nagarajan who picked up 17 wickets.
The 3rd XI had an enjoyable season, led by Simon Higgins, with a team filled with a mixture of youth and experience. Captain Higgins led by example with the bat scoring 247 runs that included three 50s, with Andy Elliott finishing as the 3rd XI leading wicket taker with 11 wickets.
The Ladies’ team looked to defend their titles from last season in the Softball and Hardball Pairs Leagues. After a tough fought season, they finished runners up in the Softball league, with nine wins and one defeat. Jane Brown led the runs total for Westbury with 127, while Hannah Dilena led the league total with the ball with 14 wickets.
Unfortunately, the defence of the Hardball Pairs League never got off the ground with only two games being able to be played, of which Westbury won one and lost one.
Other notable highlights from the season was when the club was chosen to host both the Wiltshire’s 1st XI Men’s and Women’s teams with high quality cricket on display in both matches.
Westbury & District Cricket Club is already preparing for the 2026 season. If you are looking for a new challenge, want to return to playing cricket, or want to take up cricket for the first time then the club would like to hear from you. Likewise, if you have an interest in becoming a scorer or umpire at any level then please get in touch. Westbury is a great community club that gives anyone the opportunity to play and enjoy cricket.
If you have a business or know of someone who would be interested in taking up one of the exciting sponsorship opportunities then please contact the club on one of its social media channels or at westburydcc@gmail.com. Winter well and we will see you all in spring 2026.
Report: Jon Wills
