Westbury lose their two opening league games

West of England League. Wiltshire Division. Sat.30th April: Westbury 140. Trowbridge 227. Sat. 8th May: Hinton Charterhouse 155. Westbury 123

WESTBURY have lost their two opening games of the new West of England Wiltshire Division season, going down by 87 runs to Trowbridge, followed by a narrow 32-run defeat to Hinton Charterhouse.

Westbury entertained local rivals, Trowbridge, in the opening West of England Wiltshire Division 2022 season on Saturday 1st May. 

Westbury made two changes from the previous Saturday’s pre-season match against Phoenix Bristol West Indians with the returning Richard Mills and Michael Cooper coming in for the injured Chris Thompson and Luke Dilena who dropped to the second eleven away at Wilcot. 

Westbury won the toss and decided to put the opposition in after much deliberation. Trowbridge opened with Ismael Suleman and Kyle Oakley and they took the total to 19 when Suleman was bowled by the Westbury captain Richard Oakley for 4; Sam Julyan then joined Kyle Oakley and they played their shots. The first 50 came up in 42 minutes off 33 balls, with the total at 68.  

Westbury struck for the second time when Kyle Oakley was bowled again by the Westbury captain Richard Oakley for a fine 43 off 41 balls. Shortly after Trowbridge lost another wicket when the wicketkeeper Jack Hurley, who had left Potterne during the week, was out for four bowled by Andy Carroll. Julyan was then joined by the captain Tom Oakley and they took the total to 101 when he was caught by Michael Cooper for 17 off 28 balls. Julyan was then joined by Jordan Pretorius and they took the total to 122 when Julyan was out for 34 caught behind by Scott off the bowling of James Haggaty. 

Then the Westbury bowlers fought back by taking five wickets for the accumulation of 106 runs, with Michael Cooper (three for 13) coming to the fore with the help of Clark Evans (two for 49). Eventually Trowbridge were all out for 227 in the 44th over. 

Westbury opened their innings with a new opening partnership of Michael Cooper and Daniel Gill, and, they put on a total of 37 when Trowbridge struck by having Gill caught behind by Hurley off the bowling of Tim Durston for 21. The returning Mills then  joined Cooper and put on a 18 before Mills was out top edging a pull shot to be caught by Vanniyar for four with the total on 55. Haggaty was out shortly for 0 with the total at 60. 

Westbury’s overseas player on his league debut then joined Cooper and they both looked to score but alas when the total reached 100 Edmunds was out caught by Pretorious for a good 23. While the wickets were falling around him Cooper reached his 50 off 85 balls in 110 minutes. 

Then the Trowbridge bowlers fought back and eventually Westbury were all out for 140 in the 39th over. Prabhu Vanniyar had the best figures four for six off four overs ably supported by Dan Tallentire three for 21 off eight overs and Kyle Oakley two for 17 off six overs. Michael Cooper had the best score of 60. 

This was an encouraging start to what could be a difficult season. 

Westbury Man of the match: Michael Cooper 60 & 3for 13. 

Report by Daniel Gil

Against Hinton Charterhouse, Westbury won the toss and decided to bowl, skittling Hinton out for 155. Richard Oakley took 5 for 33 off ten overs with Faizal Faizey taking 4 for 37 off 6.3 overs and Dylan Hulett grabbing the other wicket.

In reply, Dylan top scored with 37 and Richard Oakley hit 25 no but no other batsman reached double figures.

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