WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset

Winterbourne 219 beat Ilminster 164 by 55 runs

ILMINSTER were once again cursing their bad luck at having to face Gloucestershire captain Chris Dent, as his score of 65 proved the difference in Winterbourne’s 55-run win at Canal Way on Saturday.

Hosts Ilminster opted to field on winning the toss, but hopes of an early breakthrough were swatted aside by Dent and George Ford (27).

The breakthrough came with 97 runs on the board, George Hayward (2-49 off six overs) ending Dent’s 56-ball stint (eight fours and three sixes) – Charlie Vickery with the catch.

Matt Davis (3-36 off 10) stepped up to remove Ford and then Chris Kislingbury (28), and with Vickery (1-21 off 10) claiming a wicket and a run out, the visitors tumbled from 143-2 to 146-5, and then 161-7 – Sam Bracey (14) given out for obstructing the field.

Darren Vickery (35) and Harry Blackwell (19no off 11 balls) added late impetus to the Winterbourne innings, reaching 219 from 47.5 overs.

Ilminster’s openers began their reply well, as Louis Kraucamp (48) and Hayward (26) took their side up to 77.

But Benjamin Parker (4-25 off nine) and Dent (2-43 off 10) removed the hosts’ top four – Keelan Ashby (2) and Sam Spurway (1) unable to get set – and suddenly they were 87-4.

The fifth-wicket pairing of Charlie Vickery (31) and Jonny Warry (22) undertook a reconstruction effort, but after Warry was clean bowled by James Williams (3-20 off six), Matt Davis (1) and Josh Lee (9) soon followed to leave their side 140-7.

Dan Vining added a quickfire 10, but Vickery was the last man out as they succumbed for 164 from 45.2 overs.

Ilminster’s Craig Rice said: “Chris Dent was the high scorer, he took two key wickets and he also took a blinding catch.

“But for the second week running we didn’t field particularly well; the last couple of games we won chasing, but in hindsight the wicket became harder to bat on.

“The openers did well, but we needed someone to stay around and get a big total.”

This Saturday sees Ilminster – fifth in the standings – travel to bottom side Shapwick & Polden.

The previous evening (Friday, 6.15pm) sees Ilminster Under-19s host North Perrott for a T20 match, with the usual entertainment and refreshments on offer.