Westbury travelled to play Calne in the latest West of England Wiltshire Division 2015 League season, hoping to put behind them their previous defeats against Devizes and Purton from the previous two weeks.
Westbury made two changes from the previous week’s defeat against Purton with Dave Wade and Richard Oakley coming in for Aiden Wicks and Harjot Singh.
Calne won the toss and decided to field first.
Westbury opened with the regular openers MacDonald and Gill and they made a cautious start, and when the total reached 16 Calne struck and Gill was dismissed for 7. MacDonald was then joined by Gibbons and they took the total to 52 when MacDonald was out for 13. Gibbons was then joined by the Westbury captain Senneck and they both started to attack the Calne bowlers.
When the total reached 83 Gibbons reached his 50 off 35 balls and after reaching his 50 he continued to score quickly. He reached his second league 100 when the total reached 170 off 73 balls. Shortly afterwards Senneck attained his second successive 50 off 67 balls.
With the total at 244 Gibbons was dismissed for 141 off 89 balls, the third wicket partnership between Gibbons and Senneck realised 192. Shortly after Gibbons was out Senneck was out for 70 when the total reached 254. Once they were dismissed the lower order in the effort to score quick runs sacrificed their wickets.
When the total reached 280 the Westbury captain declared the innings with the possibility of gaining another two points. Glen Robinson had the best bowling for Calne with 3-38.
When Calne batted they were immediately under pressure when they lost their first three wickets for 32. Butler was then joined by Watson and they took the total to 88 when Butler was dismissed for a fine 49 off 81 balls. Watson with the lower order to the total to 147 all out.
All the Westbury bowlers bowled with control and accuracy but Oakley had the best figures of 4-41 off 10 overs ably supported by Mills 2-10 and the returning Wade on his first appearance of the season 2-26 off 6 overs.
This was a very good team performance for Westbury and it has put behind them the recent spell of bad luck.
Hopefully Westbury can continue their winning ways when they entertain the bottom club Malmesbury next week at Westbury.
