David Dredge Century cements top spot for Frome

Frome 1st XI 218-9, Wellington 1st XI 158 (Frome won by 60 runs)

Frome 1st XI cemented their place at the top of the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League with a hard-fought 60-run victory over Wellington on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first on a hot day, Frome’s usually reliable top order made a disastrous start. Three poor shots left them in early trouble at 22-3 after Paul Sanger (5) was caught at mid-on, Bleakley (4) at extra cover and Smith (1) at square leg.

Stonell joined David Dredge with a large rebuilding task on. Dredge continued to be positive against the openers bowlers, cutting anything short away to the boundary.

They took the score to 50 after 17 overs and then pressed on as Dredge reached an assured 50. The 100 come up in the 27th over and Frome looked to be back on track but another burst of wickets to poor shots set them back again.

Stonell hit a full toss to extra cover for 12 before both Daniel Dredge and James Unwin were caught at mid-on to leave Frome in trouble at 110-6.

Mark Sanger put on a crucial partnership with Dredge. They mixed strong running with boundary hitting as Wellington continued to attack and moved the total past 150.

The bowlers were put on the back foot and Dredge brought up a brilliant hundred with a straight six before, with the score at 199, the partnership was broken as Sanger was bowled for a vital 34.

Dredge departed soon afterwards for a majestic 115 and Neal followed before Wheeler and Hamblin took the score onto 218-9 from the 50 overs.

Wellington started their reply in positive fashion, with Brockley in particular finding early boundaries. Just when the partnership was looking threatening, Neal induced an edge behind from Brockley, although new man Sparks continued to play positively against some sloppy Frome bowling.

On a pitch favouring spin, Frome turned to Mark Sanger and Hamblin, the latter in particular managing to dry up the runs, but with the score at 73-1 at the first drinks break Wellington were well in the game.

Sanger eventually won his duel with Sparks, enticing the batsman to skew in the air to Stonell, who took an excellent catch.

Frome sensed an opening and put the squeeze on Wellington. However, with Sanger (1-39) and Hamblin (0-15) finishing their ten-over spells, the opponents also sensed their chance against Frome’s new bowlers.

Bleakley and David Dredge held their nerve, though, picking up three wickets apiece as Frome moved towards victory, with Smith taking two catches.

Two smart run-outs by Paul Sanger and David Dredge – capping a superb all-round performance – gave Frome victory by 60 runs to keep them clear at the top with five games remaining.

Match ball sponsors: Pangs Fish Bar.

On Saturday, Frome host third-placed Uphill Castle.