CRAIG CLEANS UP CARY AS 2ND'S WIN FIRST

Castle Cary won the toss and chose to bowl first on a sunny day at Fromefield, and they removed Josh Cantrell (9), who looked in good touch, with the score on 17.

Frome though, put on a solid second wicket partnership of 87. Andrew Stonell and Lee Dredge bided their time in constructing an innings, the latter taking a while to get off of the mark before launching the ball over mid-on for four.

Both players began to find some boundaries, but with the score on 104, Dredge was caught for 38 (5 fours). This was followed by Neil Dredge for 7, leaving Frome 119-3.

Jim Unwin then came to the crease and gave the innings real impetus. Him and Stonell added 55 together, before the opening batsmen was dismissed for a well-constructed 68 (9 fours).

Unwin then fell with the score on 176 when he was run out. This didn't come until after significant damage was inflicted- Unwin blitzing 4 sixes in his 42.

Mathew Bracher (2) was next to go, before James Mawson (8) was bowled in the last over. Skipper, Craig Dredge was not out on 15 at the close of the innings- with the hosts collecting maximum batting points in reaching 207-7 from 45 overs.

In response, Castle Cary played some nice strokes early on as they made a decent start- although Neil Dredge (1-34) collected Frome's first wicket with the score on 20.

The introduction of Mark Harman and Aaron Woodruff pegged the flow of runs back somewhat, and the experienced Harman (1-29) claimed a crucial breakthrough when he trapped the impressive J Elsworth leg before for 42.

Just after drinks, Woodruff (1-29) picked up a wicket too when excellent work from Clive Copp saw C Elsworth depart stumped for 14.

Wickets then began to tumble as the Showmen put a squeeze on the visitors in the field. Mat Bracher returned to bowl D Lake for 27 before Craig Dredge ripped through the Castle Cary line-up to reduce the visitors to 119-7.

Despite 55 runs being added in a dogged eighth wicket partnership, Craig Dredge (5-30) was in full flow. Returning for his last allocated over, he had C Leach (38) caught by Mawson at long-off and P Collings LBW for 21.

Frome then ensured that they claimed maximum bowling points from the match when Stonell found a pin point direct hit to run out the final Cary batsmen, and resultantly leave them 175 all out off of 44.4 overs.

Frome 2nd XI take the maximum 35 points from the victory, kick starting the 2016 campaign. Despite defeat, Castle Cary took away a respectable 15 points from their trip to Fromefield.

Next Saturday, the 2nd's travel to Broadway and Horton 1st XI looking to build upon this win.

Thanks go to Gary Smart for sponsoring this match.