FOR the first time this year, the weather played a major part in influencing the outcomes of matches involving all three Warminster Cricket Club teams.
However, this hasn’t stopped the 1st XI maintaining their position at the top of Division One of the Wiltshire Cricket League.
Saturday 7th June saw all three teams having their matches abandoned due to heavy rain. In a match reduced to 25 overs against the Swindon 2nd XI, Warminster 1st XI batted first and scored 151 runs for six wickets with Anre Schutte making 54 runs. Swindon’s response only lasted two overs before the heavens opened and the match was abandoned.
Unfortunately, the Warminster 2nd XI fixture against Sherston Magna only lasted six overs before the rain curtailed the match, although the Warminster 3rd XI were a little more fortunate with their game against the Trowbridge 3rd XI.
The Warminster bow-
lers performed well, restricting their opposition to 152 runs off their 45 overs. Mark Evans returned the best bowling figures with four wickets for 37 runs, but the return of the rain meant that the Warminster team’s innings never commenced, leading to another abandonment.
Saturday 14th June saw the Warminster 1st XI return to their winning ways. Bowling first against the Burbage & Easton Royal 2nd XI, the Warminster bowling attack were economic, took wickets regularly and applied pressure throughout the innings.
This approach ensured that the opposition were always going to struggle to post a commanding total and they finished their 45 overs having scored 197 runs for the loss of seven wickets. In response, the Warminster batsmen reached their target in 33 overs. Another half-century from Anre Schutte, his fifth score of over 50 this season, ensured a solid start to the Warminster innings and whilst the innings stuttered at one point, Nathan Bond came to the wicket and his 67 runs off 47 balls guaranteed a comfortable victory.
The Warminster 2nd XI lost a rain affected match against Allington. In an initially reduced match to 42 overs, Allington batted first and recorded a respectable total, reaching 230 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Following further rain interruptions, Warminster were set a reduced target of 135 runs off 21 overs. The target proved to be too much for the 2nd XI, with them finishing on 104 runs for six wickets.
The 3rd XI were again involved in an abandoned game. Batting first, the Purton 3rd XI managed to score 214 for the loss of six wickets off their overs. With a rain affected target of 226 runs off 41 overs to aim for, Warminster lost a couple of quick wickets before the rain returned, forcing their second abandoned match in a row.
With the 1st XI playing their next fixture away at Royal Wootton Bassett this weekend, why not come along to support the 2nd XI team at the Sambourne Road ground on Saturday, match starts at 1pm.
Russell Collier
