Mixed fortunes as 2nds and 3rds impress but setback for 1st XI

Highlight of the last two rounds of matches has undoubtedly been Graham Cuthbertson’s all-round performances for the Warminster Cricket Club 3rd XI.  A 50 against the Swindon 4th XI was followed by a seven-wicket haul against Lacock Cricket Club.

Saturday 20th June saw the Warminster 1st XI unable to build on the previous week’s success, with a nine-wicket defeat against the Trowbridge Cricket Club 1st XI.   

Batting first, Warminster struggled against their opponents and were bowled out for 151 runs in the 40th over.  In reply, Trowbridge reached their target for the loss of only one wicket in the 29th over, in what was a disappointing day for the Warminster 1st XI.

The Warminster 2nd XI continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive win over the Swindon Hunters 1st XI.  Fielding first, the Warminster bowlers were excellent, bowling accurately and economically and finally dismissing their opposition for 133 runs.   

Toby Pygott produced the best bowling figures, taking five wickets for 38 runs. In response, the Warminster batsmen always looked like that they would reach their target, scoring the required runs in 25 overs and recording a six-wicket victory.

The 3rd XI recorded a comprehensive victory over the Swindon CC 4th XI.  Batting first, Warminster made steady progress, with Tim Trombas (55 runs) and Graham Cuthbertson (59 runs not out) guiding the team to a respectable total of 212 runs for the loss of eight wickets off their 45 overs.   

The Swindon team found the accuracy of the Warminster bowlers difficult to counter and were bowled out in the 28th over having totalled 106 runs.  Pick of the Warminster bowlers were Prakash Rai and Mark Evans who both took three wickets.

The weekend of the 27th June saw another excellent victory for the Warminster 3rd XI against Lacock Cricket Club.  Bowling first, the main highlight belonged to Graham Cuthbertson, who bowled eight overs and took seven wickets for 34 runs, helping to bowl Lacock out for 127 runs. The Warminster batsmen comfortably chased down the total in the 28th over for the loss of five wickets, achieving a well-deserved five-wicket victory.

The 2nd XI recorded another victory, this time beating the Shrivenham CC 1st XI by eight wickets.  The Shrivenham team were put into bat and whilst they made steady progress throughout, they struggled to accelerate their innings and were bowled out for 146 runs in the last over.   

All of the Warminster bowlers were excellent, with Liam Carpenter and Max Ellis taking three wickets apiece. Liam came to the fore again in the Warminster reply, top scoring with 55 runs not out as the batsmen quickly chased down the required total inside 29 overs.

The Warminster 1st XI were unfortunate to lose by 44 runs having fought back into contention during their match against a Potterne CC 2nd XI.  Potterne batted first and at one stage had scored 165 runs for the loss of only two wickets.   

However, the Warminster bowlers managed to pull themselves back into the match, finally dismissing Potterne for 236 runs.  Paul Braithwaite returned the best figures, taking four wickets for 45 runs.  The loss of a couple of early wickets hindered the Warminster response and although they managed to stay ‘in touch’ with the run chase for large periods of the match, they were finally bowled out for 192 runs.

Pictured: Graham Cutherbertson after taking seven wickets for the Warminster CC 3rd XI against Lacock CC