Frome 2's slip up at Fitzhead

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Frome made a poor start as they lost Tim Leonard for a duck, when he was caught at mid-on. Mark Watts then fell for the same score, a leading edge sending the ball to mid-off. Captain Josh Cantrell and vice-captain Ryan Gullock set about solidifying the innings as they added 71 for the third wicket, before Cantrell was out with the score on 84. Then, Matthew Bracher and Robert Lowe both departed off the bowling of Burns for single figure scores, and Gullock also went when he was caught, also off the bowling of Burns for 44. Frome were tottering on 113-6 at this stage. However, some calculated hitting from Joe Smart and Simon Edwards took the total past the one hundred and fifty. Edwards though, hauled out for 17 after he'd launched a ball into a field. Joe Smart (39) had also cleared the boundary, before he was the only Frome player bowled when N Mullins completed his five wicket haul. Naveed Asim was caught at long-on for 6 before Frome ended their innings on 192-9 off their 45 overs, Clive Copp unbeaten on 6.

In the field, the Fitzhead batsmen launched an assault on the Frome attack, trying to score as quickly as they could, put the visitors on the back foot. The opening stand of past fifty got them off to a flyer, and Graydon launched a six as they kept going. However he was well stumped by the evergreen Clive Copp of the next ball from an Aaron Woodruff slower ball. Then, spinner Simon Edwards got Frome's second wicket when R Bellringer advanced down, to also be stumped by Copp. Frome looked to be paving a way back into the game, but skipper Ian Oliver's 85 made sure that Fitzhead would reach their target. Mark Watts did dismiss him though when he successfully found the edge of his bat to be caught by Copp to offer a glimmer of hope. Next ball Watts found the edge of the new batsmen's bat, only for the chance to be shelled at first slip. Burns took advantage of this though as he secured an unbeaten 4, along with Clyde-Smith who batted well for 34 not out to see Fitzhead comfortably across the line (193-3) with 9 overs and two balls to spare.

Next Saturday, Frome 2nd's host Staplegrove at Fromefield looking to get back to winning ways.