Match Report
West Of England Premier League (Wilts Division)
Malmesbury v Marlborough 29th August 2015
Malmesbury 98 all out; Marlborough 90 all out
Malmesbury won by 8 runs
Marlborough’s disastrous second half of the season continued with an 8 run defeat away to relegation threatened Malmesbury at the weekend. The result saw Malmesbury avoid the drop on the final day of the season and Marlborough slip to finish the season in 4th place.
Marlborough won the toss and invited their hosts to bat first on what looked a very bowler friendly wicket. Malmesbury very quickly lost the wickets of James Pearce-Smith and Jack Ward with only 9 runs on the scoreboard. Malmesbury opener James Gillespie battle hard against the Marlborough attack of George Fox and Will Langton as well as the conditions. He and Michael Collinson added 35 runs to the score before Gillespie was dismissed LBW by Fox. Gillespie had batted for 52 balls for what proved to be very valuable 26 run contribution.
Malmesbury then lost 4 more wickets for just 8 runs as Marlborough introduced their dual spin attack of Ben Head and Fraser Gordon. Collinson had batted through the mayhem and with Antony Brown (24) they managed a partnership of 32 to take the scoreboard to 84 before Collinson was dismissed by Gordon for 32. Collins innings had lasted for 97 balls and with his demise Malmesbury were soon all out for 98. Gordon finished with 4 for 26 and Head 3 for 23.
Marlborough found batting no easier and found themselves 12 for 4 by the 6th over with George Penfold, Arran Dickinson, Peter Day and James Richardson all back in the pavilion. Kiwi Brad Frost then showed some resistance with Fox and then Head they managed to add 57 to the score before Frost was dismissed for 30. Marlborough batsmen then came and went none of them apart from Head (14) managed double figures and when Gordon was dismissed for a duck, the tenth of the day, Marlborough were dismissed for 90 eight runs short of victory and a very disappointing end to their season.
Marlborough Captain Arran Dickinson said after the game. “It was very difficult to bat out there today and in those conditions anything could happen. In the end we couldn’t just see it through which was a little disappointing but well done to Malmesbury as they have just edged it and have avoided relegation in doing so. I am very pleased for them as they are a very nice bunch of lads.”