MIDWEEK XI OFF TO A WINNING START

By John Grinstead

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Ewen Moore leads a strong team to Bruton to take on Shepton ontague in this season’s curtain raiser.

On a bright but cool April evening, the Midweek XI mustered a strong side, replete with a heady combination of youth and experience, to take on Shepton Montague away in the opening game of the season. Winning the toss, the home side elected to bat and made unspectacular but steady progress against the opening combination of Jonnie Power and John Grinstead, putting on 28 in the first 7 overs. On a spongey, lifeless pitch and a relatively long outfield, the batsmen found it difficult to get the ball away. With the first change of bowling, however, came the breakthrough; Fergie May accepting a smart catch off the bowling of Hector Smith after the same batsman was dropped just two balls earlier.

Thereafter, tight bowling was rewarded with a steady flow of wickets for each subsequent member of the Fonthill attack, with Hector Smith being the pick of the bunch finishing with 3-23. Shepton Montague eventually stumbled to a below-par 90 for 9 from their allotted overs. Ewen Moore took 1-9, Henry Smith 1-17 and Ed Hobbs 2-13.

In response, Fonthill Park made a bright and breezy response. With Finn Edwards playing the anchor role, Angus Cowan let loose striking 5 sixes and 2 fours in a swashbuckling 55 not out from just 42 deliveries. Finn Edwards was unlucky not to carry his bat too, being run out with just 7 runs needed, leaving Gabriel Sayles to complete the innings and a convincing 9 wicket victory for The Park with over 6 overs to spare. Shepton Montague is always a difficult place to come this early in the season but particularly so on what was a slow, damp pitch. Light too can be an issue and all were relieved to have wrapped things up with a full 20 minutes until sunset! It was great to gain a convincing win in the gathering gloom of this chilly April evening. Notwithstanding a couple of bowlers searching for their line and length and the inevitable smattering of dropped catches, this was nonetheless a fine all-round team performance which bodes well for the fine weather to come. Man of The Match: Angus Cowan (55*)