Bath CC 1st XI v Bridgwater CC 1st XI

After having their first match of the season abandoned last week, Bath CC’s 1st XI experienced another disappointment on Saturday when they lost at home by four wickets against Bridgwater CC 1st XI.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Bath’s batters struggled against some tight bowling and swiftly slipped to 37-5 inside the first 14 overs. Skipper, Harry Ellison (20) showed some real application in the middle order, but Bath continued to lose wickets in regular intervals. Bath were then given some hope when number eight, James Arney produced a potentially match saving innings of 71 from just 61 balls, which included five sixes. Arney’s contribution helped the home side get up to a defendable 159 all out in the 41st over of their innings.

Bridgwater’s response started positively reaching 24 without loss, but three quick wickets saw the away side slip to 38-3 and the match really felt like it was in the balance when Joseph Eckland (15) was out with the score on 63-4. But Jay Terry (40*), Kian Roberts (29) and Ryan Thorpe (38) all combined to take Bridgwater to a four wicket win in the 34th over of their innings. Bath will rue not posting a bigger total and allowing some chances to go down at a critical point in the match, but overall Bridgwater were the better side on the day.