Sat. 11th August. WCCL Division 5 Collingbourne CC – 1st XI 49-4. Melksham CC – 1st XI 172 all out. MATCH ABANDONED

Melksham Cricket Club saw a league fixture succumb to the weather for the first time this season, away to Division 5 strugglers Collingbourne.

Before the rain came however they were able to turn in a decent batting display, despite difficult batting conditions.

Having lost the toss and being put into bat, opener Daniel Carpenter fell in the 1st over after being given out LBW. This left Tom Wallis (19) and Matt Hunt (10) valiantly struggle against Collingbourne’s pacey opening attack on an extremely volatile wicket.

They also eventually fell, along with skipper Joe Veacock (6), to leave Melksham stranded on 60-4. However, Russell Collins and Ed Skippings were able to take full advantage of the home side’s slower first change bowlers to turn the innings on its head.

With Collins primarily responsible for the run scoring with some classy shots, the duo grinded out a gutsy 92-run partnership to surge their side towards a commanding score of 150-5. Skippings’ eventual dismissal for 38 would spark another change of complexion though, with young spinner Jake Hubbard coming on to rip through the Melksham lower order to claim a 5-wicket-haul. His onslaught, which claimed the wicket of the outstanding Collins for 80, saw the away side finish on a respectable 172.

Collingbourne’s reply began in a pacey manner, racing to 49 inside 12 overs, but their progress was blemished by the regular loss of wickets. Andy Footner (3-21) spearheaded the attack along with Freddie Honeybone, with the pair well supported in the field with some good catching.

This left the game well poised for a tight finish, before the heavens opened to condemn the contest to a premature end.