Bedminster blown away by Frocester

Going into the final game of the season Bedminster hosted Frocester and despite being third and fourth place respectively both teams knew bonus points were needed to ensure they remained in WEPL Prem 1.

Having won the toss Bedminster skipper James Carter asked Frocester to bat on a sunny afternoon at The Clanage. Bedminster's opening attack Richard Sillars had Ross Martin (14) LBW and Sam Knapp getting Uzi Qureshi (4) caught at midwicket by Joe Millard in consecutive overs, Frocester 26 for two inside six overs.

A century partnership between Louis Gregg and Fin Dixon was ended when Gegg was also adjudged LBW this time by the left arm spin of Tom Smith. Smith also picked up the wicket of Tom Ward (1) as a delighted Lewis Mason made the catch. Captain Nick Trainor joined Dixon (77) , and the pair added a further 52 until the latter was stumped on a leg side wide by Garreth Elphick who skipped down the wicket to celebrate with bowler Carter.

Carter (9-1-39-3) then picked up the wickets of Sam Birch, bowled for 1 and Ashley Davis (2) caught by Elphick. Sillars returned and had Trainor caught by Millard on the midwicket boundary for for 31 and in his next over bowled Vimukthi Perera for 4 to finish with figures of 10-3-29-3. The final pairing of Thomas Drake and Richard Cave got Frocester to their final batting point as the visitors posted 226-9.

Sillars convinced his team mates he was also an opening bat but this proved not to be the case as he was out bowled for a golden duck by Perara. Elphick (LBW 12) and Rob Cunliffe, bowled for 7, became Perera's (6-2-13-3) and Frocester's second and third wicket, meaning they were now safe having picked up enough bonus points.

Cave trapped Smith LBW for 13. Drake combined with keeper Gegg who caught both Tom Pugsley (1) and George Russell (4) then stumped Millard for a duck, as the drinks break was called two balls early, Bedminster were 75 for 7. Carter promoted himself up the order and along with Sai Kamuni, achieved the hosts best partnership, all be it 41, as Carter (16) was bowled by Drake (10-0-45-4).

After completing his half century, Kamuni (56) tried but failed to execute a reverse sweep, hitting it straight into the hands of Perera from Davis. Lewis Mason and Knapp brought up the first batting point but shortly afterwards Mason (5) became the fifth LBW decision of the day as Bedminster were all out for 128.

The win for Frocester meant they finished 3rd but slipped down to 7th, two places above Lechlade who claimed the final relegation place with Corsham.