TOP TWO TIED AT SUMMIT AFTER 2ND XI DEFEAT

After Frome won the coin toss and elected to bat first, many batsmen made starts but never really went on as Broadway and Horton's attack kept the pressure on throughout.

Openers Josh Cantrell and Sam Croker made it through the opening spell of bowling, before the former was yorked for 19 and the latter found mid-wicket to depart for 12.

This was followed by Lee Dredge (14) and skipper Mark Harman (8), who became further victims to J Pike (3-34). This left Frome 71-4 when Mat Bracher came to accompany James Unwin at the crease.

The pair added 67 for the fifth wicket, with both players putting the ball away to the boundary with regularity. Unwin ultimately departed for a well-constructed 46 from 71 balls (including 7 fours), stumped off of I Hoskins (2-32).

Another 45 came with Clive Hamblin and Bracher though, but Hamblin was bowled for 11 with the score on 183. Soon after, Bracher was finally bowled by A Mason for a fantastic 58.

Bracher's knock was scored at a good rate, facing 55 balls. It included 7 fours and a six, and was vital in ensuring that Frome amounted a respectable score.

Further wickets fell which left Frome 191-9, but 10 runs for the last wicket got Frome past the double hundred. Just after a four to get to 201, Aaron Woodruff (13) fell off the penultimate ball of the innings- becoming Mason's (3-22) third victim.

Clive Copp was unbeaten on 3, as the hosts were bowled out for 201, of which was a decent effort in recovering from 59-3 and doing so against some testing bowling.

In response though, it proved very difficult to defend as the visitors offered little but the occasional half chance in the field.

Matt Knight and Woodruff tried their best early on to make a breakthrough, but R Hilton and S Larkman looked assured.

After the opening batsmen had yielded a ton opening stand, the experienced Mark Harman (1-35) made the breakthrough when Lee Dredge held Larkman (35) at long-off.

The introduction of Bracher (1-19) has D Lowman caught by Mark Harman for 5 in the covers, but Broadway and Horton's number four batsmen ensured the win for the visitors.

J Payne came in and took the match to the hosts, and blitzed 61 from just 33 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Meanwhile, R Hilton was going about his business at the other end, and ended not out on 86 (from 134 balls and included 12 fours).

Thanks to Paul Holdway for kindly sponsoring this fixture.

This saw Frome condemned to an 8 wicket defeat at Fromefield, which makes the race for pole position in the Somerset League Division Four, all the more interesting.

Broadway and Horton's maximum 35 point win, and Frome's 12 points in defeat, mean that after 11 games, the two teams can't be separated on 307 points apiece. Kilve are just 10 points behind too, so with five games left- it's set to be an exciting finish.

Next Saturday, Frome 2nd XI look to get back to winning ways to continue their title challenge, in an away fixture with Wembdon.