UNWIN 52 SECURES ANOTHER WIN

After losing the toss, Frome were condemned to a long afternoon in the field.

There was a good start for Frome, as the hosts runs were restricted, with Matthew Knight and Aaron Woodruff bowling tightly early on. Ilton were 37-0 after 14 overs.

However, the introduction of the experienced skipper Craig Dredge brought about Frome's first wicket, bowling R Jones for 12.

Further breakthrough's were made when Dredge (3-21) struck twice more, however, Ilton passed the hundred mark. D Price (18) and T Crawley (2) were well caught by Mark Harman and Josh Cantrell.

M Davies (42) and B Venn (48) looked to get the hosts up to a competitive total, but wickets began to fall in the latter stages of the innings.

Mark Harman accounted for those batsmen, thanks to a catch from Craig Dredge at mi-wicket, and a stumping from the evergreen Clive Copp.

The hosts ended 8 wickets down for 170. A brace of run outs came when good work from Craig Dredge and Knight, whilst a third wicket for Harman (3-40) came with another stumping from Copp.

In response, Frome got off quickly thanks to skipper Dredge. He struck 5 fours and a six for 34, and some errant fielding in the form of dropped catches- aided Frome's hopes.

With the score on 50 though, Dredge was caught, and just five runs later, Cantrell was bowled. Then, Lee Dredge was caught for 5, becoming R Jones' third victim (he took 3-22).

Jim Unwin batted sensibly though to stop the rot. He put the bad balls away well, timing it well regularly, with the ball racing away on the lightning outfield.

After striking 11 fours in his 52, he was caught off D Male (1-25)- after previously hitting 5 fours of his bowling alone.

Bracher managed 8 before being caught at point, whilst Clive Hamblin took Frome to the verge of victory with 27 runs to his name, before he was run out.

And even though Woodruff was bowled without scoring, Mark Harman (22 not out) guided Frome across the line with a couple fours in the 42nd over- to ensure a three wicket win.

Next week, Frome 2nd XI are fixtureless as they were scheduled to play Bishops Lydeard, of whom withdrew from the league. They next play Kilve away from home, as they look to continue to challenge for the Somerset League Division 4 title.