Archived Match Report
Second XI vs. Stourbridge Social - 23 Jul - Frome win low scoring game and take 24 points.
With the middle of division4 2ndXI delicately poised, this mid table clash was critical for both teams. Frome being unlucky in recent weeks losing points to the weather captain Richards was keen to start off positively and had decided he wanted to bat first. His luck was in as he lost the toss and Frome were asked to bat by Stourbridge Social.
Things started well with Hughes and Richards finding boundaries early on, until Hughes was caught at short cover for 17. M. Godsall joined Richards in the middle and together put on a good partnership. When Richards fell for 36, N. Andrews picked up where he left off to put some good runs on the board with M. Godsall, until both were out for 24 and 28 respectively. Then came a collapse of sorts, with some good bowling from Stourbridge. The prolific S. Andrews falling for 4 and S. Cottrell for 0. J. Godsall hung around frustrating the bowlers and C. Cottrell (13) hit a couple of boundaries, Frome were bearing down on the 150 mark. A total which was thought defend-able. W. Godsall got Frome to 151 with a well played hook shot for 4 in the the final over. Canon Frome all out for 151.
Some tight bowling and early wickets were required, as well some neat fielding if Frome stood a chance of bowling this team out. When the openers came out playing shots captain Richards began to tinker with the field, so as to be inch perfect. When Hughes clean bowled one of the openers, then the next two batsmen getting caught by Richards at mid-off off Hughes, Frome were rampant. Stourbridge's no4 skied one to the keeper off Hughes (4 for 38) and L. Cottrell turning the ball at the other end joined the party by drawing the batsman forward leaving S. Cottrell to take a neat stumping. With Stourbridge in trouble a middle order partnership began to take shape until L. Cottrell(2 for 31) bowled one and C. Barnett (2 for 18)had one caught behind. C. Cottrell picked up 2 wickets for 6 runs, and keeper S. Cottrell taking another good stumping the low order resistance was over. It was the catch of the day when S. Andrews pounced like a kitten to take a low diving catch in the covers to finish of proceedings. Leaving Frome with a well earned 24 point win.
