Frome 2s Pipped at Shapwick & Polden
2nd xi defeat
Frome 2nd XI lost to Shapwick & Polden 2nd XI by 3 wickets
Frome 2s: 184-7 (45 overs)
Shapwick & Polden 2s: 188-7 (44.3 overs)
Frome 2s were pipped at the post on Saturday, losing out at the death in a tight game at Shapwick & Polden. Despite getting into promising positions in both innings, the home side showed great resolve to fight back into the match and were indebted to a fabulous knock from skipper Lucking to deny the Showmen.
After winning the toss Frome elected to bat first on a slow, low wicket. Openers Dan Dredge and Potter settled in well, and after a circumspect first 10 overs began to take advantage of some loose balls on offer in an enterprising opening stand of 95. Dredge (47) in particular was ruthless on any errings in length to the short boundary, before mishitting Dukes to mid-off.
When drinks arrived at 114-1 the Showmen appeared in a strong position, however things began to turn when the home side took pace off the ball. When Potter (40) carelessly holed out to deep square-leg, spinners Patey (3-28) and White (2-17) ground the scoring rate to a halt and gradually chipped away at the middle order, instigating a collapse of 6 wickets for 41 runs. A late innings scramble from Jon Dredge (21*) and Brown eventually lifted Frome up to 184-7, leaving the match in the balance at the interval.
Openers Barr and White started well in response for the hosts, however when Barr was run-out returning for an ambitious 3rd run Cox (3-30) delivered a tremendous 9-over spell to burst through the top order and put the Showmen in command. Veal (2-18) then showed excellent control with his left arm spin to cause further damage – drying up the runs and leaving Shapwick reeling at 62-6.
However skipper Lucking stood firm and found a reliable partner in Lang to drag the hosts back into the contest for a second time. Initially absorbing the pressure the pair gradually began to open their shoulders and cash in on some loose offerings, with Lucking in particular unleashing some powerful drives and pulls.
An enterprising stand of 101 was finally ended when Wheeler dismissed Lang (39) to breathe life back into the contest with 4 overs to go. Frome kept battling to take the game to the last over with Ford creating chances from the first two balls, however Lucking (76*) remained to steer Shapwick to a hugely impressive fighting win with 3 balls to spare.
A frustrating start for the Showmen to let promising positions slip in both innings, however a superbly exciting game to start the season with several positives to take. Frome will aim to get off the mark next weekend when they welcome Weston-Super-Mare to Fromefield.
Next Fixture: Saturday 14th May – Weston-Super-Mare2s (HOME) - 13:00 start