Tom Abbott turns the ball off his hips (22020/5)

CORSHAM took the major honours from a winning draw in a thrilling finish to their Premier Division One game against Bridgwater at Station Road on Saturday.

Chasing a Corsham score of 261 for eight, the visitors came up two runs short in their run chase, finishing on 259 for seven after their 55 overs.

Corsham captain Michael Coles lost the toss against his former team and was asked to bat first in damp conditions.

Bridgwater made early inroads, with overseas opening batsman Neetan Chouhan caught behind in the first over for a duck and Tom Abbott (13) soon following to leave Corsham on 18 for two.

Former Gloucestershire all-rounder Roger Sillence and Peter Dennett rebuilt the innings with a third wicket partnership of 114 which ended when Dennett was dismissed for 38.

Sillence went on play the major innings, his 76 coming off just 72 balls and including 11 fours and a six before he was bowled by Daryl Cocks.

Andrew Davis made 55 off 91 balls, including eight fours and two sixes and other useful contributions came from Coles (28), Alex Senneck (28 not out) and Peter Turner (18 not out).

The Bridgwater bowlers shared the wickets, with Ian Higgins (two for 33) the most successful.

Bridgwater looked in control in their reply, reaching 160 for one at one stage, with Darren Read making 86 before being caught by Dennett off off-spinner Jason Searle and Mitchell Windsor making 89 before being caught by Davis to give Sillence his only wicket.

Andrew Hallaran (20) and skipper Steve Davis (30) also made useful contributions but as wickets fell the run rate increased and Bridgwater fell two runs short.

Senneck took the bowling honours for Corsham, taking three for 52 off 15 overs.

Searle claimed one for 83 off 18 overs and Sillence one for 48 off 13 overs.

Corsham will be hoping to go one better tomorrow when they make the journey to Somerset to play Bridgwater again in the reverse fixture.

9:07am Friday 4th July 2008

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