Sat. 26th August. Melksham XI won by 5 overs. Melksham XI 170 for 4 (39.5 overs). Buscot Park 169 for 6 (45 overs).

MELKSHAM travelled to Buscot Park’s ground aiming to keep their good form going through to the end of the season, and after losing the toss and being asked to bowl, Melksham set to their task against the divisions bottom side.

Buscot’s innings was very slow to begin with as Melksham bowled very tightly, with Rich Hemmings, Andy Footner and Chris Long going for just 50 runs from their combined 27 overs. But Buscot did manage to keep wickets in hand for the latter part of their innings, with their lower order able to bludgeon some boundaries on their way to setting Melksham 170 to win.

Melksham’s reply was steady on a pitch that proved difficult to score freely on for both teams. With healthy contributions from nearly all the batsmen that went out for Melksham it looked like it would be a close finish before Jack Footner followed up his 3 wickets earlier in the game with blitzing the Buscot bowlers on his way to a second half century in two games and a win for Melksham with over five overs to spare.

Sat. 19th August.  Melksham XI 221 for 9 (45 overs). Bathford XI 180 for 5 (45 overs).

Melksham lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a pitch that looked like it would favour the bowlers after the weather in the week leading up to the game. After losing both opening batsmen in the first 8 overs, things were looking ominous for Melksham.

Ed Skippings and Joe Veacock dug in however and after seeing off the opening bowlers, were able to capitalise on the second string Bathford bowlers with Veacock playing some destructive shots on his way to another half century. Veacock was well caught on 64 after a 97 run partnership with Skippings and after he was also dismissed, it was left to the lower order to boost the Melksham total. Jack Footner stepped up with his first league fifty for Melksham and helped set a total of 221 from their 45 overs, a good effort given the tough batting conditions.

Bathford’s reply started slowly as Melksham’s openers bowled economically, although struggled to take wickets. After finding the breakthrough however, Paul Merrett (63) came in for Bathford and upped the run rate somewhat, although the slow start from Bathford was too much to overcome as they batted out their 45 overs but couldn’t get close enough to challenge Melksham’s total, finally finishing on 180 for 5.

Thanks to Autotech for sponsorship.