WESTBURY and District CC entertained Shrewton in the latest pre-season match hoping to put the club’s previous defeat against Painswick behind them.
Westbury made four changes from the last defeat with Daniel Gill, Richard Mills, Marcus Telford and Andy Carroll coming in for Steve Clare, Kane Scott, Rashad Forde and Henry White.
Shrewton won the toss and decided to field first. Westbury opened with Chris Thompson and Matt Greatley, and they put on 28 for the first wicket when Shrewton made their first breakthrough when Greatley was caught behind by Jake Roylance for 10. Daniel Gill came to the wicket and helped move the score to 66 before he was out for 21 caught by Wilf Bate off the bowling of Dave Hatchett.
Richard Mills then joined Chris Thompson but shortly after Westbury lost their third wicket at 66 when Thompson (21) was bowled out. Jino Jojo then came to bat, but when the total reached 78, he was out leg before off the bowling of Dave Hatchett. Luke Dilena, after his fine 46 innings in the previous match, joined Mills and they took the total to 112 when Dilena (8) was out bowled by Gillott with the score at 123 and it was left to Mills (60) and Telford (8) to take Westbury to 169 for 6 wickets off their allotted 40 overs. Sam Gillott (3-26 off 8 overs) had the best figures ably supported by Dave Hatchett (2-10 off 5 overs).
When Shrewton batted they opened with Will Sleeman and Rich Barnett, but when the total reached 22, Westbury made their first strike with Barnett (7) leg before by Richard Oakley. Shrewton then lost two quick wickets for the loss of 31 runs with Brewer (4) and Sleeman (27).
Roylance was then joined by Sam Gillott and they took complete control of the Westbury bowlers, but when the total reached 121 Westbury struck by having Roylance (34) caught by Andy Carroll off the bowling of the Westbury spinner Daniel Gill. One run later Shrewton lost their fifth wicket when Castle (0) was leg before off the bowling of Daniel Gill. Gillott (56) and Ciaran Fountain (17) led Shrewton to a 5 wicket win with 6 overs to spare. Richard Oakley (2-18 off 5 overs) had the best figures.
