Spye Park v Bath Civil Service, Wilts league 1

Spye Park maintained their recent good form with a 144 run victory over Bath Civil Service on a fresh and breezy day at home.

Winning the toss, Spye skipper Rich Bowater had no hesitation in choosing to bat on what looked like a pretty good pitch.

The home side’s innings got of to a steady start, with an early blow as Andy Ellis was bowled by Wood.

Opener Tim Hues and Dave Beal then set about building a score until Beal who was looking in fine form was adjudged LBW, with Wood again being the beneficiary.

Bath claimed another quick wicket and the Spye innings looked to be teetering. Having passed fifty, Hues and Mark Hulse then got the score board ticking, providing a useful partnership, until Hulse was caught in the covers.

Rich Bowater then arrived at the crease and set about increasing the run rate and Spye looked to be set for a big total. Hues was then out LBW 3 runs short of his century, but Bowater was in attacking mood as he went on to register his first 50 of the season.

The score passed 250 as Spye`s specialist finisher Jon Bathe nudged the ball around.

The innings closed on 252 for 8 with veteran Bathe returning another not out score.

P Wood being the pick of the Bath bowlers with figures of 4 for 41.

Bath’s innings never really got going with the Spye opening bowlers Dave Beal and Nick Church taking 2 wickets a piece, before the introduction of spinner Hulse proving the final straw for the batting team, as they finished on 108 all out, Hulse ending with figures of 4 for 31. A game which was played in good spirit ended, providing Spye with some confidence to take into their next game, a tough away fixture at Box.