Westbury suffered a frustrating defeat in the local derby on Saturday 27th June as Trowbridge chased down a challenging target of 283 with 15 balls to spare at a sun-soaked Leighton Sports Centre.
Having been asked to bat first, Westbury made a solid start despite losing Daniel Gill early. Kane Scott and Matt Greatley steadied the innings, with Greatley playing positively from the outset, striking nine boundaries scoring an excellent 48.
Westbury lost their way in the middle overs, losing four quick wickets due to some poor shot selections which put them on the back foot.
The innings gathered momentum through the middle overs as Luke Dilena produced one of his finest knocks for the club. Dilena anchored the innings, playing some lovely shots, compiling a fluent 68 from 88 balls, including ten boundaries. Tom Lucas added further impetus with a well-made 48, sharing a valuable partnership of 86 runs with Dilena that put Westbury back in control.
Although wickets fell at regular intervals during the closing stages, useful contributions from Fraser Moore, 19, and Richard Oakley, 20 not out, helped Westbury post an imposing 282 all out from their 50 overs.
This score came at a cost to Westbury with both captain Tom Lucas and key all-rounder Rich Oakley picking up substantial injures.
Trowbridge’s reply began positively, with Charlie Campo and Adam Bolton putting on 16 before Rory White made the breakthrough with Javon Grosvenor taking the slip catch with an assist from Tom Lucas.
Kane Scott took a lighting quick stumping off the bowling of Henry White to remove the dangerous Sam Julyan, before White struck again to leave the visitors 112-3 and give Westbury genuine hopes of victory.
Trowbridge’s Australian overseas Campo was the key figure for Trowbridge, producing an accomplished 64 before Grosvenor claimed his wicket to reduce the visitors to 160-4.
The injuries to Lucas and Oakley were a turning point in the game with both key bowlers in the Westbury attack limited both in their bowling and fielding.
However, despite some sensational fielding by Westbury’s 12th man they were unable to find the crucial breakthrough thereafter as Tom Oakley and Jerron John combined in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership to guide Trowbridge home.
Oakley finished unbeaten on 61, while John struck an aggressive 56 not out to seal the derby victory with 15 balls remaining.
Henry White was the pick of the Westbury attack with 2-47, while Grosvenor and Rory White each claimed a wicket.
The side will now look to bounce back quickly in their next WEPL Wiltshire fixture with the team sitting in 6th place in the 10-team league at the halfway stage of the season.
Upcoming Home Fixtures
Sat 4th July, Westbury & District 1st XI vs Chippenham 1st XI, 12pm
Sat 11th July, Westbury & District 2nd XI vs Heytesbury & Sutton Veny 1st XI, 1pm
Sat 18th July, Westbury & District 2nd XI vs Wroughton Wranglers 1st XI, 1pm
