Archived Match Report
Second XI vs. Barnards Green - 20 Aug - Frome win and complete the double on Barnards Green
After last weeks loss Frome needed a win to try for a top half finish and secure against relegation,when after Badger won the toss and elected to field, things looked up. After a lively start from B. Child for Frome the visitors openers tried to play shots but found it difficult, and finding the edge to score runs was always a dangerous strategy. It wasn't long until Hughes (3 for 33)struck with a slower ball taking the off-stump of one of the openers, then bowled the other for 15 and then had the number 3 for 7. C. Cottrell (3 for 41)joined the party by removing the middle order at steady intervals to keep Frome on top, and with C.Barnett (2 for 15) wanting a slice of the cake of wickets on offer, things were left to L. Cottrell to clear up taking another 2 wickets for just 7 runs. Barnards Green were all out for 144 after S. Cottrell took another sharp stumping chance, and as the batsmen had decided to let the umpire decide his fate on this occasion (unlike earlier where he gave himself "not out") he was rightly given out.
The run rate required was not an issue to this formidable batting line up, Hughes and Richards put another good 1st wicket stand seeing off some good bowling from the visitors openers. Richards fell for 13 and Hughes soon after for 20, enter Fromes rampant middle order partnership of M. Godsall and B. Child who both set about taking the game away from Barnards Green hitting boundaries-a-plenty. When B.Child was bowled (by a girl*) for a good 33, things looked all but done with only 30runs needed to win. But, Frome wobbled, S. Andrews caught at fly slip for 1, and S. Cottrell attracting a golden quack, something was needed to steady the ship. Pedro came to the crease and started his innings by hitting 4-6-4 to calm some nerves. Pedro finished 18 not out and M. Godsall 30 not out and both guided Frome home to a good win over 2nd in the league.
* albeit a girl who plays u19 for England and opens the bowling for them.
