Bath vs Cheltenham match report
11 July 2021
Bath continued their recent good form with a 6 wicket win over Cheltenham - James Arney setting a new record for the 1st team in the process with a fantastic individual bowling display.
Having been asked to bowl first, Paul Muchall struck after just 2 balls to take the first wicket. Alongside Harry Hankins with the new ball, Cheltenham struggled to 23/1 from the 9 powerplay overs. Further wickets followed for Brad Porteous and Tim Rouse but some steady accumulation left the innings finely balanced at 85/3. However, it was at this point that Arney turned the game in Bath’s favour with his sensational spell of swing bowling as he claimed 7 wickets in 9 overs to bowl Cheltenham out for 120. Arney’s figures of 7/20 are the best bowling figure for Bath 1st XI in WEPL history. Ben Wells claimed 5 catches behind the stumps.
With a modest total to chase, the Bath innings got off to a poor start as Porteous was dismissed first ball and fellow opener George Hankins soon followed to leave the score on 8/2. Ashur Morrison was the next man to go with the score on 30, and when Wells was caught behind having made an entertaining 29, Bath were making hard work of the chase at 48/4. Skipper Samuel Alexander Mount led a counter attack and made light work of the remaining runs as he smashed 61 from just 38 balls, sealing victory with a huge 6. Credit to Rouse (17*) as well for combining with Mount to form the match winning partnership.
Bath travel to Bridgwater tomorrow for Finals day of the WEPL t20 competition- victory tomorrow will see us advance to the national stages.
Next Saturday the 1st XI are at home again as we host Taunton Deane.
