HARMAN GRINDS OUT VICTORY FOR 2ND XI

After Castle Cary elected to bat first at the toss, but they were pegged back early on after Naveed Asim (1-23) cleaed up C Elsworth for 1.

Asim and Aaron Woodruff applied some early pressure, but the next breakthrough came as a result of the introduction of Mathew Bracher (1-23). The seamer had D Lake caught by Jim Unwin for 24, leaving Cary 54-2.

This was followed by some further tight bowling from Bracher, and likewise Archie Potter who bowled good lines.

The score was then carried onto 95 until the Harman's began to turn the screw predominantly in Frome's favour. A brace of caught behind's from Clive Copp removed C Bontoft (15) and C Chainey (1), whilst Unwin held onto a skyed delivery to further assert control.

Then, the key wicket came; Ryan Sainsbury taking a great catch at short fine leg off Mark Harman to remove opener J Elsworth for 46, meaning that the top six Cary batsmen were removed.

With the hosts reduced to 108-7, M King (30) added some lusty blows bolster the total. However, Arthur Harman accounted for his wicket when he holed out to Asim.

The final few wickets were snaffled up relatively soon by the father and son duo, with the father Mark taking a caught and bowled to secure his five wicket haul- ending with figures of 5-33 from his nine overs.

Arthur (3-22) took the last wicket caught out at square leg, meaning that the hosts were bowled out for 148 with the fourth ball of the 42nd over.

It seemed a below par score for a good wicket, however, it ultimately proved to be a very testing total that served up an entertaining run chase for a neutral.

Frome batsmen did show some fight in the early stages, however the opening bowlers of D Lake (1-20) and M King (2-13) bowled nicely. The latter accounted for both Josh Cantrell (2) and Woodruff (1), both caught at slip by A Henley.

Lake secured the wicket of Andy Simpson, who hit high to mid-off, where C Martin took a good catch.

First change bowlers A Henley (1-24) and C Bontoft (1-15) took the next two wickets, with Bracher caught for 6 off the former and Unwin trapped leg before for 9 off Henley.

At 53-5, Frome needed a partnership. A partnership was what they got though, as skipper Mark Harman and Nav Asim added 64 for the sixth wicket. They batted with discipline and good judgement, to bring the Showmen back into the contest.

Just as Frome began to close in on the win though, a huge moment came when J Castle pinned Asim leg before with the score on 117.

Arthur Harman was unfortunate to find the fielder from a powerful stroke to depart without scoring, leaving the game in the balance.

Sainsbury eased the tension though. As the fielders came up to prevent the single, Sainsbury timed the ball away through mid-wicket for a welcome boundary- duly greeted by cheers from the Frome players on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Mark Harman continued on his merry way, batting with composure. And despite confusion leading to Sainsbury (5) being run out, he held his cool.

Clive Copp came in and ensured that Frome would get the win. After being dropped at mid-off just three shy of their opponents total, he came down the pitch next ball and hit high towards deep mid-wicket. However, the ball made it's way underneath the dive, to secure a two wicket win.

Copp finished on 8 not out, whilst Mark Harman was unbeaten on a magnificent 51 in testing circumstances. This result sees the second team stay in pole position in Somerset Cricket League Division 4.

Next week, Frome 2nd XI welcome Broadway and Horton to Fromefield, with the fixture scheduled to commence at 1:30pm.