Mixed fortnight for Westbury Cricketers

Saturday 3rd August, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire League, Division One Westbury v Chippenham abandoned

WESTBURY travelled to Westbury to play Chippenham in the latest Wiltshire and Gloucestershire League Divison One, hoping to put behind them their bad performance against league leaders Biddestone. 

Westbury were hoping to complete the double over local rivals Chippenham, after having beaten them earlier in the season.

Westbury made three changes from the previous  week’s rain-affected game with Patrick Joseph, Rob Penfold and Rob Hislop coming in for Martin Dolman, Clkark Evans and James Cotterill.

Chippenham won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Westbury into bat. Westbury lost an early wicket when McDonald was caught for 3 with the total at 23, Rose was then joined by Mills and they took the total to 48 when they lost a couple of wickets with the dismissal of Rose (23) and Hislop (0). Mills was then joined by the inform Gibbons. With the arrival of Gibbons who immediately attacked the Chippenham bowling attack with the support of Mills, they took the total to 121 when Chiipenham struck three times in the space of three overs when Gibbons (51), Mills (42) and Whiting (5) were all out.

It was at this time that the players were having to go in and out four times. When the rain relented Westbury with Joseph and Gill scored very quickly as they took the total from 134 to 174. When the rains came again, it was then decided by the umpires and the two captains that no more play would be possible.

At the end of play, Joseph was not out on 22 and Gill unbeaten on 10.

Saturday 10th August, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire League, Division One Westbury beat Dumbleton by 7 wkts

WESTBURY entertained Dumbleton in the latest Wiltshire and Gloucestershire League Division One, hoping to end their losing streak which has stretched for a month; also they were hoping to complete the double over their probable relegated rivals.

Westbury made one change from last week’s rain-affected match against Chippenham, with Nick Whiting replacing the unavailable Patrick Joseph.

Dumbleton won the toss and decided to bat first.

When Dumbleton batted they were immediately under pressure, mainly due to the fine bowling and accuracy of the Westbury bowling attack. So much so, that they had only accumulated 49 for the loss of four wickets in the first twenty-five overs. It was only due to efforts of Nicholson (29*) and the lower order that Dumbleton were able to reach 151 for the loss of eight wickets. Andy Carroll (10-3-13-4) had the outstanding figures ably supported by Simon Rose (10-2-20-2).

When Westbury batted they made a flying start, with Rose and McDonald both playing their shots from the outset. When the total reached 36 Dumbleton made their first breakthrough when Rose was out for 11, and shortly after, McDonald was also out for 22. Mills was then joined by the inform Gibbons and he went on the offensive and with the support of Mills, they took the total to 109 when Mills was out for a patient 19.

Gibbons was then joined by Whiting and they led Westbury home to a fine seven wicket win, with more than seventeen overs to spare. At the end of the innings, Gibbons was unbeaten on 56 and Whiting unbeaten on 23.

With this win Westbury are now safe and next week’s match against Potterne mean that hopefully that they can gain revenge from the defeat at home a few weeks ago.