Saturday afternoon we welcomed defending WEPL champions Potterne to Combe Park

Given a slightly delayed start, overs were reduced to 41 per side. Potterne showed their class in their batting approach in challenging conditions but our attack worked expertly as a unit with all six bowlers in the wickets. Pick of the bunch was Tim Wyatt – coming off his full run for the first time at Combe Park - taking 4 wickets in his second spell to finish on 4/32 off 7.3 overs. It was pleasing to see that we didn’t allow any of their batters a chance to go on beyond 41 and kept Potterne under pressure throughout. That said, some big hitting by the Potterne tail allowed them turn in a contextually impressive 212 all out at the close of their innings.

Lansdown’s reply started exceptionally with both openers Jordan Smith and Connor Brown playing imperiously to pass their 3rd 100 partnership of the season so far. Connor eventually fell for 55 and even when Jordan was trapped lbw on 77, we were in good shape on 157/2 with plenty of batting to come.

However, amidst the gloom and darkening skies, batting was getting more difficult and the experienced Potterne attack took the ascendancy and with just a few overs to go, the required run rate was edging upwards – in the end too far for Lansdown. Credit has to be paid to Sam Wheller and Matt Thomas in edging us passed 200 and another bonus point. In the end and despite a bitterly disappointing loss, we finished with nine points – three more than if we had relented to the weather.

Oskar rightly commented on the day as a missed opportunity, but a performance that still moves us forward. There were lots of positives to be taken and a galvanised team that steps onwards to next week’s home tie against Bridgewater – another tough test.