Archived Match Report
First XI vs. Highley - 20 Jul - Keep Calm and Canon On....
After a last ball thriller that saw Frome to a win against Highley away, this game was always going to have its "moments"..and so it proved to be..
Frome won the toss and chose to bat. The wicket looked flat, and with a lightning fast outfield there was expectation from the "bank" of a big total. However some accurate and consistent bowling from Highley prevented Frome from quick scoring and they had reached just 53 after the first 15 overs.. That said, some good work from Alec Backhouse established a base after Mark Godsall fell early and in the next 15 Frome opened up somewhat and put on a further 100 taking the score to 152. However wickets had been falling regularly with Fortnam going after a wide one, Alec finally bowled for 35, Steve Wilson falling to one that swung and nipped back and Simon C edging before getting settled. Nicko contributed a useful 27 but Frome were 6 down and staring down the barrel.
It took a 100 run stand between Andy Rogers and Ben Child to move the Frome out of the danger zone. The rate was ramping up fast and in that final 15 overs Frome more than doubled their score ending on 320 for 9. Andy played some fine shots but also created interest and opportunity for the opposition ,offering the occasional chances that were not taken. The away team were offering regular advice and commentary on his innings but a final score of 129 said it all. Superb Andy.
Ben contributing a very useful 38. The tail was lengthy for the Frome this week, with James Godsall frustrating the opposition with an expansive 32 and Badge happy with his 19 delivered in quick time. James and Will Godsall crossed the 45 over line without further loss.
Frome were confident that Highley were not much inclined to chase the total, but it was good to see they came out playing some shots and at least targeting the 220 for a losing draw. The openers hung on a good while, but the foursome of Andy Rogers, Nicko Evans, and Ben Child with the ball and Simon Cottrell behind the stumps was formidable. The first 4 falling caught behind. It is fair to say that Frome were providing some advice on stroke play but an unnecessary incident occurred after one of the early dismissals that had no place on a cricket pitch and not worthy of detail in this report. Badge was nominated for a Nobel Prize for Peace Making and the Frome settled back down to the job in hand; taking all 10. That came in the 39th over after a couple of scruffy periods of play. Cracking bowling from Nicko 5 for 44, Andy 3 for 60 and a good job done by Fortz 8 overs 1 for 34. Highly all out for 212.
Job done.
Are these reports getting too long ?
