2ND'S WIN TOP OF TABLE TUSSLE

Frome were without their captain Craig Dredge in this match because of Somerset Over-50 duty, so Mark Harman attained the role for this crunch fixture. Clive Copp was also absent for the same reason as Craig, so Nick Larder donned the gloves.

After Frome won the toss and elected to bat first, they made a pleasant start with Cantrell looking in particularly fine touch.

The day proved to be difficult for batsmen, and it was evident when Mark Dredge (9) was caught behind. This was followed by Lee Dredge (11), somewhat unluckily bowled when the ball rolled onto the stumps from an inside edge.

Cantrell was then unfortunate to pick out short fine leg, but his 37 ultimately proved to be most important for the Showmen. Jim Unwin then chipped back to the bowler to depart without scoring, and Frome were struggling.

Although, Mat Bracher added 16, aided by some drops catches. Aaron Woodruff scored 9 after top edging, whilst Simon Edwards (3) and Mark Harman (4) followed back.

G Stone (5-19) ripped through Frome with his spin bowling.

Some late resistance came from Larder who hit 11 before being stumped, before Ethan Cox and Dan Weston then batted with composure for Frome.

The last wicket pair frustrated the visitors and they took Frome past the 120 mark for a sixth batting bonus point. They battled through to the 41st over until Weston was dismissed.

Cox was unbeaten on 2 as Frome ended all out for 123. Despite seemingly under par, the hosts knew that with early wickets and disciplined bowling, they could come out on top of this match.

Frome started well, with Woodruff claiming a brace of wickets in an over. First W Munro edged behind to Larder, before E Martin plinked a catch to Weston at mid-off.

Bracher was unlucky not to attain a breakthrough himself, but Frome gained a stranglehold of the match with spinners Edwards and Harman bowling in tandem. In the match between them, 17 overs were sent down of which only conceded 19 runs.

They took crucial wickets too. Harman claimed two wickets in his first spell, whilst Edwards claimed 2-11 from his nine overs. Edwards produced one fantastic delivery to bowl C James around his legs for 10, with the other wicket sharply caught behind by Larder.

Further spin from Weston (2-21) ensured that wickets kept tumbling. Larder held his third catch off of Weston's bowling and Unwin's safe hands at deep mid-wicket removed S James for 10 and rewarded the leg-spinner with a brace of scalps.

D Rowsell took the match to the wire though. He took the game to the Frome attack, proving to be most productive. Him and D Marchent were batting well and took the runs required into teens, so when skipper Harman (3-8) took his third with a caught and bowled- it was a crucial breakthrough.

Then, just 13 runs shy of Frome's total, the last wicket fell. Woodruff (3-25) had J Taylor held by Mark Dredge to seal a thrilling victory for the 2nd XI at Fromefield.

The nail-biting 31 point victory sends Frome up to second place in the Somerset Cricket League Division Four, leapfrogging their opponents Kilve (15 points in defeat) in the process.

Thanks go to Mike Harman for sponsoring this match.

Next week, the 2nd XI travel to play South Petherton. It's another top of the table clash, with South Petherton currently holding top spot with just two points more than Frome.