Westbury entertained Purton in the latest West of England League Wiltshire League Division match hoping to carry on their winning run and also hoping to gain revenge for the defeat earlier in the season.
Westbury made one change from last week’s win against Great Bedwyn, with Richard Oakley returning in place of Jacques Prinsloo.
Westbury won the toss and immediately decided to bat first on a very hot day.
They opened with the regular openers Mills and McDonald and they immediately went onto the attack against some loose and wide bowling and they took advantage of this. The first 50 came in the 14th over. When the total reached 99 McDonald completed his 50 off 81 balls in 84 minutes; shortly afterwards Mills also completed his 50 in 92 minutes off 81 balls. After both had completed their 50s they both attacked the bowling and it came as a big shock when the total reached 177. Purton took their first wicket when Mills was dismissed for 89 off 114 in 124 minutes. He walked after the umpire had given him not out, but as he admitted, he hit it.
McDonald was then joined by Gibbs and they continued to put the Purton bowlers to the sword. When the total reached 226 McDonald completed his second league 100 in 144 minutes off 147 balls. Westbury then lost 2 quick wickets in the quest for quick runs. At the end of their allotted 50 overs Westbury had accumulated 254 for the loss off 4 wickets. At the end of the innings Gibbs was unbeaten on 37. Tom Bowler was the most successful bowler with 2 for 53 off his 10 overs.
When Purton batted they made a steady start with their openers Pitchers and Shelford and they took the total to 21 when they lost their first wicket when Pitchers was caught by McDonald off the rebound by Gill who was deputising wicket keeper. Then the Westbury captain, Senneck, came into the attack and he took out the top and middle order with some fine bowling that the total fell from 21 for 1 to 84 for 7, with none of the batsman able to deal with the pace and bounce. After this spell, the Purton innings eventually subsided to 128 all out. Adam Woolford was the only batsman who could cope with the Westbury bowling attack. Alex Senneck had the best bowling figure of 6-26 off his 10 overs, ably supported at the end by Tom Lucas 2-13 off 4 overs.
This was the best team performance by Westbury this season against a very good team currently in the title mix for league honours this year. Westbury are beginning to close the gap after a difficult start to the season but the next game against league leaders Trowbridge next week will give Westbury some idea of whether they are going to be title challengers. Well done !
Leading Run scorers. 16.7.16 Leading Wicket takers. 16.7.16
J. McDonald 455 A.Senneck 17.
R.Mills 304 R.Oakley 15.
D.Gibbs 297 A.Carroll 15.
A.Senneck 285 C.Evans 10.
