A brilliant hundred by Westbury captain leads team to a convincing win

Sat. 11th May. West of England League Wiltshire Division Calne 181-8 Westbury 249-7

Westbury travelled to local rivals Calne in the latest West of England League Wiltshire Division, hoping to continue their winning run after a narrow result against Royal Wootton Bassett last week.  

Westbury made two changes from last week’s win, with Osmond Shallow and Grant Savides coming  in for the unavailable Joe Willis and the injured Richard Mills.  Westbury won the toss and decided to bat first.  

Westbury made a bad start with half the side out for 79 and then the Westbury captain, Coles, came to the wicket to try and stem the tide with Andy Carroll and after being careful against the Calne bowling attack, they gradually got on top and the scoring rate increased.  At the drinks break Westbury had only scored 95  for 5 off 25 overs.

Afterwards, Coles came to the fore and he started to pepper the boundary, resulting in the total reaching 147 for 5.  Coles completed his 50 off 84 balls. Shortly  after, after a very good stand of 50, Calne dismissed Carroll for 20 caught very well in the deep by the Calne opening bowler Bodman. After his dismissal, Oakley came to the wicket and join his captain. It was at this time that Coles started to bombard the boundary with blistering 6 hitting.  When the total reached 217 Coles completed his first league 100 of the season off 96 balls.  Eventually at the end of their allotted 50 overs, Westbury had accumulated  249 for 7 wickets with Coles unbeaten on 135 off 124 balls (4×4 & 13×6).  

When Clane batted they also made a bad start, with half their side out for 69 and it was only due to a lower order partnership off 77 between Parker (77*) and Clare (20) that enabled Calne, after their allotted 50 overs, to reach 181 for 8 wickets leaving Westbury winners by 68 runs.  

Next week’s game at home against league leaders Marshfield should be an interesting game.