Frome CC 1st XI v Winscombe CC 1st XI

ALEX Bleakley smashed a magnificent unbeaten 169 as Frome thrashed Winscombe to get their WEPL Somerset Division campaign off to a stunning start.

After being asked to bat first on a damp track, Paul Sanger and Andrew Stonell began patiently against some wayward Winscombe bowling, which allowed the openers to settle as extras kept the scoreboard ticking over.

It was the introduction of spinner Wally Wright that brought the first breakthrough as Sanger (14) was bowled from a ball that turned and bounced.

This brought Bleakley – back for a second season at the club – to the crease and it did not take him long to get the runs flowing along with the superb Stonell.

Bleakley took no prisoners as he smashed his way past 50 first and his team-mate followed shortly afterwards as Frome launched their attack.

Stonell was finally out for a well-made 61 but David Dredge (20no) – making his first appearance for the club in four years – provided Bleakley with solid support as Frome passed 225 to gain maximum batting points.

Bleakley smashed his way to 169 not out before the hosts declared for 307-2 inside 45 overs, earning another two bonus points in the process.

Winscombe’s innings got off to a terrible start as Eddy Neal picked up a wicket in his first over but a second-wicket stand took the score 81-1 before spin duo Clive Hamblin (3-23) and Mark Sanger (2-51) were introduced.

They quickly changed the game and Wincombe were now starring down the barrel of a heavy defeat as they slumped to 127-6.

Dredge was introduced to quickly finish a very professional performance from the Frome team by mopping up the tail with 2-7 as Winscombe fell 160 runs short.

Frome will be looking to build on this ideal start when they travel to North Petherton on Saturday.