Westbury travelled to Marlborough to play a West Of England League Wiltshire Division match hoping to put behind them last week’s cancelled match against local rivals Trowbridge.
Westbury made one change from last week’s match with Aiden Wicks replacing Jacques Prinsloo.
They won the toss and decided to bat first with the regular openers Mills and McDonald, and they found the going tough against a very disciplined Marlborough opening bowlers of Fox and Baluso.
After 21 overs Westbury had only scored 60 without loss. but when the second bowlers came in to the running they quickly went onto the attack with Mills leading the way. It came as a bit of a surprise when Marlborough broke through with the total at 99 with Smith bowling Mills for 48 off 100 balls.
McDonald was then joined by Gibbs and they gradually increased the scoring rate considerably. When the total reached 132 McDonald completed his first league 50 of the season in 67 minutes off 100 balls. Gibbs was gradually finding his feet with shots all around the wicket and pair pushed the total onto 197 before McDonald was dismissed by a flying catch by Will Langton off the bowling of Fox for a fine 83 off 135 balls in 161 minutes.
At the end of their allotted 50 overs Westbury had reached 208 for 2 wickets with Gibbs unbeaten on 55.
When Marlborough batted they were immediately on the back foot when Senneck and Carroll ripped through the top order, but they then found stubborn resistance from Homani, the Marlborough overseas player. With the support of the middle and lower order, he took Marlborough to 199 for 9 off their 50 overs. At the end of the innings Homani finished unbeaten on 100.
This was a fine performance from Westbury against a good side who, with Westbury, will end up fighting for the title.
Next week’s game is away against Swindon might be a difficult test.
Friendly: Westbury versus Beckington at Westbury on Sunday 29th May.
The match against Beckington had to be cancelled as they were unable to raise a side. This was a great disappointment for the younger players who were looking forward to playing against a good side and looking to gain revenge for the defeat earlier in the season.
