Temple Cloud Seconds got back to winning ways on a wet, windy day away at Shapwick on a very green-looking batting surface.
Stand-in skipper, Rich Appleyard, lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Alex Comer and H. Lids opened the batting with a solid partnership, before Lids was run-out for a good-looking ten. This brought Jon Doel to the crease. Comer was next to go, playing on to his off stump for an excellent 43.
Next in was Billy Garrett, who played well for his thirty before being stumped. J. Doel holed out at long off for 36 as Temple pushed to accelerate the scoreboard.
Appleyard scored a quickfire ten and Curtis struck some lusty blows for 24 not-out as Temple closed on a respectable 201-8 off their forty overs. Special mention must go to Alistair Birch for his bowling figures of 5-56 from his eight overs of spin.
The experienced duo of Simon Feaver and Paul Lester opened the bowling for Temple, with a fantastic opening spell of swing-bowling.
This took the game away from Shapwick as they were left reeling at seven wickets down after sixteen overs. Feaver used his pace to pick up 3-15, and Lester – in a hurry to get home – finished 4-31.
Shapwick tried in vain to win the match, as Captain, Appleyard Junior, and J. Doel chipped in with a wicket each before Lids finished off the innings with a superb pick-up, throw and run out before the heavy rain arrived. Liam Darlington top scored for Shapwick with 25 before being well-caught by J. Doel.
A solid all-round team performance from Temple, with contributions from many. Next week sees Temple Seconds at home versus Horrington.
Jon Doel