Westbury travelled to play Great Bedwyn in the last league game in the West of England Wiltshire Division 2015 season, hoping to end with another win, having been confirmed as runner-up in the league behind winners Trowbridge.
Westbury made one change from last week’s win at home against Marshfield, with Nick Whiting coming in for Martin Dolman. Westbury won the toss and decided to bat first.
Westbury opened with the regular opening bowlers Senneck and Carroll and they had an immediate breakthrough when Hart was bowled by Senneck for 0 with the total at 0.
The Great Bedwyn captain Palmer was then joined by Bosson. Shortly afterwards Palmer was out caught behind by MacDonald off Senneck for 3 with the total at 6. Bossan was then joined by Andrews and they took the total to 38 when Westbury struck by dismissing Andrews for 20.
It was at this time that the Westbury bowlers fought back by taking 6 wickets for 50, mainly due to the efforts of Oakley (3-26 off 10 overs) and Mills ( 4-14 off 6 overs.). It was only due to efforts of Tuttle that Great Bedwyn reached 116 all out.
When Westbury batted they made a disastrous start with 6 wickets for 44, When Oakley and Carroll were at the crease with some ease they took Westbury close, but when the total reached 88, Oakley miss timed a shot to be caught brilliantly in the deep by Lauder for season best score of 26. On his dismissal the Westbury innings subsided to 95 all out, leaving Great Bedwyn winners by 21 runs and also cementing their West of England Wiltshire Division survival.
Westbury secured the runners-up spot in this year’s league, but ultimately the losses that they suffered against lower teams cost them the league. Westbury have got a good team and with any arrivals that may come during the close season, they could mount a league challenge next year.
