Temple Cloud Seconds travelled to Bridgwater for their final league game of the 2018 season. This was a rearranged game from earlier in the season with an earlier start time, yet traffic on the way to the game ensured a delayed start.

A slow outfield and indifferent wicket meant a good batting total was difficult to predict. Temple started slowly, with Alex Comer and Captain, Simon White, opening the batting. White was soon bowled for twelve as Comer was joined at the crease by Tom Haydon looking to push the run rate on. Haydon was caught for a quickfire 25 as swashbuckling Paul Lester joined the party. Several huge swings and misses later, Lester was caught and bowled for two by Joe Syvret, who finished with figures of 6–1–24–4.

Comer reached yet another half-century for the season, but was caught for 65 soon after as he looked to accelerate. Ian Appleyard and Simon Mahoney came and went as C. Wilton chipped in with sixteen and Kevin Curtis eleven, as Temple struggled to keep the ball on the floor. J. Doel and Vice-Captain, Rich Appleyard, looked to ease Temple towards a respectable total, with some sensible batting and quick running as Temple finished on 174–8 at tea. Probably 20–30 runs short of being a competitive total.

Wembdon opened the batting with an awkward right hand and left-hand combination. Temple opened the bowling with Lester and Wilton keeping things tight as first slip Comer caught opening batsmen, K. Futcher half-asleep and walking around out of his crease, run out for just five. H. Young was well caught by Doel off the bowling of Spike, as Haydon also caught well at gulley off the bowling of Doel.

Other wickets proved hard to come by as the game went on. Wembdon gradually increased the scoring rate as the evening got darker, and light rain started to fall. Big Simon Mahoney was introduced to the bowling attack with his pace and bounce causing problems for the home side’s batsmen. Mahoney managed 2–35 from his eight overs as Temple struggled to put further scoreboard pressure on the home side. Wembdon eventually crept over the line after 36.1 overs with a streaky edged four scored through third man finishing on 178–5.

Temple enjoyed a slow start to the season but improved considerably in the second half. They finished a respectable fifth in the league and now look forward to a break followed by winter nets after Christmas. New members of all ages and abilities very welcome.

Top of the bowling averages were Simon Feaver, first place with an average of 9.43 from 36 overs with seven wickets, C. Wilton, second, with 15.29 from 29 overs and seven wickets and Ian Appleyard, third, with 22.43 from 25.5 overs and seven wickets. J. Doel finished on most wickets with nine and Paul Lester in second place with eight. Several bowlers finished with seven for the season. Rich Appleyard should get special mention for bowling by far the most overs, 87.1 overs (almost twice as many as any other player). Batting averages saw Alex Comer finish top with an excellent 63 and 445 total runs, Tom Haydon second with 51 and 464 total runs, and Rich Appleyard, third, with 24 average and 224 total. Tom Haydon had the highest score with 127, Comer an unfortunate 99 and Appleyard 83.

Comer, Haydon and Toby Ingram all finished the season with four outfield catches a piece, Doel with three and Nick Campbell finished with six wicket-keeping wickets.

Many thanks go to the excellent groundstaff for all of their hard work preparing the pitches and outfield over the long dry summer and to all members that have helped with wonderful teas and barbecues over the course of the season.

Jon Doel