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Venue:
Bath CC 4th XI v Whitchurch CC 2nd XI
Bath CC 4th XI v Whitchurch CC 2nd XI
Bath’s 4th XI travelled to Whitchurch CC on Saturday to win a very closely fought encounter by five wickets. Whitchurch 2nd XI got their innings off to a fine start after home captain, David Millard won the toss and chose to bat. The openers swiftly put on a stand of 84 before Luke Cooper (47) was well caught of the bowling of John Ormesher. Bath’s spinners Allan Alex (2-36) and Jack Pippett (4-35) then took control of the match, picking up regular wickets aided by some excellent catching. When Payter was bowled by Pippett for an excellent 74, Bath sniffed an opportunity to bowl the home side out for under 200, something that didn’t seem possible during the first 15 overs of the home sides innings. Eventually Whitchurch were bowled out for 187 in the 38th over.
On a deteriorating wicket, the Bath openers punished the few bad balls bowled to put on 40 for the first wicket before Will Blackmore (11) was bowled. The away side then lost regular wickets before number five, Allan Alex joined captain, Dave Pippett at the crease with 100 runs still required for victory. This pair then quickly added 43 before Pippett went for a patient 70. Ormesher (8) then helped Alex take the score up to 144-5, but as Mike Roe walked out to join Alex 44 runs were still required for victory. Some very positive running and aggressive hitting from Roe (22*) and Alex (41*) took Bath to victory with just two balls left. Bath picked up the maximum 20 points for this excellent win.