Ilminster v Frocester

THIS top of the table clash developed into a titanic struggle with Frocester snatching victory by the narrow margin of four runs.

This was a crucial game for Nick Trainor's men as Frocester now only require five points to ensure promotion from the final match of the season- at home to Taunton Deane this Saturday.

Having won the toss Trainor was soon back in the pavilion and it was Paul Lazenby and Ali Bressington who provided the backbone of the Frocester innings.

The total had reached 117 in the 30th over when Lazenby was caught at square leg for a hard working 45.

Steve Pope joined Bressington and played some brilliant shots in a quickfire 25 that took the score to 167-3 and with Ashley Davis continuing in the same vein with an explosive 23, Frocester looked set for a large total.

However, with Bressington falling for an excellent 83, which included 12 boundaries, and other batsmen contriving to get out in unusual ways, Frocester eventually reached a final total of 213-9 with Ellswood finishing with 5-69.

With the wicket flattening out, Boucher and Rideout made a fluent start against Gannon and Bressington, the total reaching 40 in the 10th over.

Trainor and Rendall took over the attack and immediately restricted the scoring rate, with only 21 runs coming from the next 10 overs.

Boucher fell for 42 well caught at cover by Bressington off Trainor. Kuhn followed shortly after, well stumped by Pope from another well-flighted delivery from Rendall.

Spurway looked very dangerous with a hard hitting 41, but was run out by a superb throw from Ali Bressington.

Frocester continued to bowl and field excellently, to the extent that Ilminster were restricted to 137-4 from 40 overs, requiring 77 from the final 10 overs.

By this time, Gannon and Bressington had returned to the attack and, supported by some fine fielding, Ilminster continued to fall behind the required rate.

One full length diving stop at cover by Gannon was absolutely crucial.

The tension continued to mount, with Dalwood providing brave resistance with 23, but he was run out by Ali Bressington and eventually Ilminster required 16 from the last over bowled by Bressington.

The first five deliveries only realised six runs and the game was won, even though the last delivery was struck for a huge six, showing what might have been. It was all so close.

Gannon finished with 2-56 from 14 overs, Bressington 1-58 from 11, Trainor 2-46 from 15 and Rendall 1-36 from 10, showing what a hard working, all round, team performance this was.