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Dunster Village Cricket Club

Wednesday 22 June saw us travelling the short distance to play local rivals Timberscombe in a T20. The home team won the toss and choose to bat first. They batted steadily throughout with both Dean Bowditch and Jason Abbott retiring on 30+ runs and the posted a respectable total of 144 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pick of our bowlers were Rob Ware (2 for2) and Gus Wallbridge (2 for 5).

In reply, after losing early wickets Chris Blazey again reached 30 before retiring. Steve Murray got 24 runs and Rob Spiers 12 but no other batsman got into double figures and the score rate dropped and we finished on 106 for 6.

On Sunday 26 June we travelled to Kilve for our first match against them in a 40 over game. Batting first, Chris Blazey proved again to be the stalwart of the batting amassing an unbeaten 47 with good contributions form Martin Flynn (26) and Ricky Lewis (20). Regrettably we fell away badly and were all out in the 33rd over for 142; our lack of 40 over game experience proving our undoing! Kilve in reply put on 87 for the first wicket and were pretty comfortable despite some late inspired bowling by Martin Flynn (2 for 13 off 6 overs with 2 maidens) and Mike Graddon (4 for 18); Kilve finished up with 145 for 6 in the 35th over.

Friday 29 June was the date and we had an away venue for our rescheduled match against Exford which was also the quarter final of the inaugural Exmoor Cup which was played in T20 format. Batting was not particularly easy on the artificial track but we amassed runs steadily with Gus Wallbridge retiring on 30+ and 26 scored by both Chris Blazey and Lee Johnson Smith. We closed on 122 for 6 in our 20 overs. In reply, Exford had a disastrous start losing early wickets and were always chasing the game thereafter. A good fielding display and tight bowling notably from Adam Jeffries (2 for 5) and Ashleigh Bishop (2 for 9) restricted the home side to 98 all out in the 20th over and ensured our passage into the semi finals of the cup!

Next up for us was Brasted Invicta from Kent in a T20 on Saturday 2 July. Batting first we got to a good total of 169 for 7 in our 20 overs with Gus Wallbridge & Mike Graddon both retired on 30+ and Steve Murray (25) and Chris Webber (24). Regrettably Brasted got off to a flyer in reply and reached 53 for the first wicket in only 5 overs and hauled past our total in the 19th over with 5 wickets in hand. All our bowlers were going for around 10 runs an over apart from Mike Graddon and Martin Flynn who stemmed the tide a little. Thanks to Bill Hatt for his match ball sponsorship.

We next travelled to Cutcombe on Friday 8th July for a rearranged match but due to a low turnout by the home side this was treated as more of a practice match which we won comfortably.

Back to a sterner test when we entertained Cerne Abbas from Dorset for their annual trip to Somerset in a 40 over game on Sunday 10th July. It was our sixth match against this team dating back to July 2008 and we had lost all of our previous 5 matches so were very keen to put the records straight!

Batting first, Ollie Armitage (33), Adam Jeffries (25) and Chris Blazey (34) got us off to a good start reaching 96 for 2 at the start of the 23 over. There followed a batting collapse to 120 for 8 in the 30th over! However the tail did wag and we reached 179 all out in the 40th over. In reply, Cerne struggled but a third wicket partnership got them on the right track and they reached 68 for 2 in the 14 over before the breakthrough was made. From then on wickets fell steadily as we maintained a tight grip on the game. A battling 32 by visiting skipper, Dave Porch was not enough and Cerne finished in the 37 over all out for 156. Best of our bowlers were Steve Murray (3 for 27), Gavin Burgess (2 for 28) and Ashleigh Bishop (2 for 5).Victory has never tasted so sweet and our thanks to Andrew & Emma Dunn for the sponsorship of the match.

On Wednesday 13 July we entertained Porlock in the semi final of the Exmoor Cup. Put in to bat, we took two quick wickets but after that Porlock scored freely despite our best efforts and posted an impressive 190 for 4 in their 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten 51 by Luke Taylor and 53 from Ian Cape. In reply, we never really got going although Jason Cobbett (26) and Rob Spiers (29) steered us towards some respectability on 94 all out in 15th over. The cup will have to wait for another year!

On Friday 15th July, we entertained county travellers Axbridge in a T20 that turned out to be the best of the season thus far. The visitors batted first and after a slow start gathered some momentum and got to 147 for 6 in their 20 overs. Tidy bowling and fielding kept the run rate to a manageable level with wickets for Jason Cobbett, Rob Spiers, Ricky Leis, Andy Fay and Craig Bishop.

Our reply got off to a great start with Ricky Lewis (23) and Mike Graddon (25) setting the pace. However it was to be a nail biting finish with 6 required as we started the 20th over. After two singles, the third ball was despatched to the boundary by Andy Fay to seal a memorable win! Thanks to Bill Hatt for his match ball sponsorship.

Next fixtures are all at home to Crowcombe (T20 Friday 29 July), Timberscombe (T20 Friday 5 August), United Banks (T20 Friday 12 August), Exford (T20 Wed 24 August) before the end of season Memorial match on Sunday 28 August and the Village match on Sunday 4 September.

Congratulations to this month’s 100 club winner Bill Hatt.

Anyone interest in helping with juniors or seniors or playing or helping support the club in any way is welcome to contact me or any club member. Hope to see you all at the village home of Somerset cricket.. Dunster Cricket Club!

Andy Fay (821416)