BRUTAL BRISTOL PUT SUNDAY SIDE TO SWORD

In a reduced 35 over game, Frome started fairly well batting first. Sam Croker struck two sumptuous shots through cover for four in the first over, whilst Dan Dredge soon found the boundary too.

After a half-century opening stand, Dredge (17) picked out mid-on to leave with the score on 63. Croker continued though, and reached a classy 50 as a result of careless overthrows from the opposition.

The opener was then unfortunate to get a ball that kept low to be trapped in front leg before. Just a few runs later, Paddy Hyams was bowled for 17 and Arthur Harman found mid-on without scoring- making it 102-4.

James Unwin added 21 before being very well-caught, and this was followed by Aaron Woodruff who failed to score- it was now 129-6. Naveed Asim was striking the ball nicely though, and hit 19 with a huge six before being bowled.

Matt Knight added 7 to the scorecard, but skipper Robin Lett only managed 2 when he holed out. Mark Watts was impressive though, hitting an unbeaten 21 to bolster Frome's score, and he was ably supported by Ethan Cox (7 not out).

This saw the Showmen accumulate 172 for the loss of 9 wickets in their 35 over allocation. S Matthews (3-16) and L Shaw (3-27) did most of the damage for the visitors.

In response, Bristol went after the Frome bowlers. However, it was one shot too many for J Bracy (12) when he was superbly caught by Harman at long-on off Woodruff.

This was followed by a beautiful ball from Nav Asim (1-27) to castle the dangerous M Lord, before Woodruff (2-43) trapped T De-Beer LBW for a duck. This left Bristol 31-3 and Frome were in the match.

F Trenouth was aggressive and hit the ball powerfully, but Mark Watts (1-24) sent him back to the pavilion when Paddy Hyams took a great catch as keeper.

The hopes of Frome were dashed as a result of a 106 run fifth wicket partnership. L Shaw batted very well- blitzing an unbeaten 76 to secure the win. R Panchal supported him at the other end with 25 not out.

The six wicket defeat was a good test for the Frome Sunday Development XI, but they'll hope to get back to winning ways in a fortnight's time when they travel to Old Bristolians. There is no fixture next Sunday for the team.