Five Star David Dredge keep's Frome's title dream alive with win over Winscombe

David Dredge’s superb five-wicket haul helped Frome remain on course for the WEPL Somerset Division title with victory on the road at bottom side Winscombe.

After winning the toss Winscombe asked Frome to bat first. With the score on 15, they made their first breakthrough when Paul Sanger (10) was bowled and Frome found themselves two down just nine runs later as Dredge was caught.

Charlie Smith and Alex Bleakley (33) set about rebuilding the innings and took the total to 90 when the latter lofted a catch to square leg. Not long afterwards, Smith departed for a well-constructed 45.

With the visitors now four wickets down and still with work to do to post a competitive total, Dan Dredge and Andrew Stonell formed a partnership. Dredge’s big hitting proved difficult to contain as he mixed sensible stroke-play with some boundaries when the opportunity presented itself.

The pair moved the score towards 200 before Stonell (14) was bowled, and as Frome then approach maximum batting points, Dredge fell for an excellent 71. It was left to James Unwin and Mark Sanger to see Frome to a very competitive 233-6.

Frome put a chance down early in Winscombe’s reply but were not made to pay as Rob Shephard (0) was caught by 15-year-old debutant Aaron Woodruff off skipper Sam Wheeler (1-26).

Winscombe did not lose another wicket before drinks but tidy opening spells from Bleakley (2-32) and Wheeler, and the excellent spin of Clive Hamblin and Mark Sanger (2-39), restricted them to 52-1 from their first 25 overs.

The hosts continued to play steadily and lost a second wicket when Liam Cureton was smartly caught by David Dredge (5-48) off Sanger for 31. Jory Cureton joined Australian Wally Wright and together the pair showed some urgency, before Cureton (20) was trapped lbw by Mark Sanger.

Soon afterwards, Bradley was caught for 11 off David Dredge, and with 12 overs remaining the home side still required 120 runs to win.

With the dangerous Wright still at the crease Winscombe still had a chance but when he fell to David Dredge for a well-made 85 the game was up.

On Saturday, Frome host North Petherton (1pm).