Batsman and bowlers combine to edge Westbury closer to second spot

Sat. 3rd August. WEPL Wilts Div. Purton 149 – all out. Westbury 267 – 6

Westbury travelled to play Purton who are struggling at the foot of the West of England Wiltshire Division Table, hoping to put last week’s surprise home defeat against local rivals Potterne.

Westbury made three changes from the home defeat against Potterne with Michael Coles, Arran Dickinson and Kayleb Gooderson coming in for the unavailable James Dark, Tom Lucas and young Connor Colbourne.

Purton won the toss and decided to field first.

Westbury opened with Mills and Gill and they made a confident start by taking the total to 31  Purton struck by having Gill caught behind the wicket by Jack Clark for 11.  Scott then came to the wicket and he gave solid support to Mills who was scoring freely; but when the total reached 73, Mills was dismissed for 42 caught by Alex Duffell off Callum Wright. 

Then suddenly Purton fought back by taking two wickets for 0 with Scott (9) and Dickinson (2) being the batsman dismissed. The returning Westbury captain Coles then joined Hudson at the wicket and they scored freely, the 100 came up off 128 balls and shortly after, the 150 came up in 194 balls. Once the score reached 181 after a partnership of 104 off 135 balls Purton struck by having Coles caught behind by Jack Clarke off Gattapur for 44.  for 4. This brought Carroll to the wicket and with some lusty hitting by both batsmen, they took the total to an imposing total of 267 for 6 wickets off their allotted overs. Hudson at the end was unbeaten on 100 off 117 balls and Carroll unbeaten on 14.

When Purton batted they made a bad start by losing 5 wickets for 36, with all the Westbury bowlers doing their bit and it was only due to a fighting rearguard effort of Callum Wright (60) that Purton were able to accumulate 149 all out in 42 overs, leaving Westbury winners by 118 runs. Richard Oakley (4-24 off 10 overs) had the best figures, ably supported by Richard Mills (3-19) off 6 overs. With this win, Westbury closed the gap on second place Swindon, who lost to the runaway league leaders Marshfield.