Collapse denies Gowerton

GOWERTON opened their SWCA league programme with a visit to Tata Steel.

Having avoided relegation on the final day of the 2019 season, they are hoping for an improved performance this season.

In an excellent contest, the visitors looked favourites to return with the spoils when they required 60 with eight wickets in hand, but the introduction of Matthew Saker – who took 3-6 in his first three overs – meant Gowerton slipped from a comfortable 82-2 to 88-6.

The tail, well marshalled by Tom Parkin (17no) inched their way towards the target but the hosts held their nerve and the run out of Tom Clarke with 11 balls left saw Gowerton fall nine runs short.

Having asked to bat first, Tata got off to a good start and were 26-0 when heavy rain in the seventh over halted play for nearly two hours and reduced the game to one of 35 overs a side.

After the resumption, Tata slipped to 47-3, with Will Collinson (2-20) and Callum Eakins (2-24) both bowling with pace, but Martin Lewis with 41 from 53 balls steadied the ship and saw the hosts close on 142- 7. Clarke (2-31) was Gowerton’s next most successful bowler.

Gowerton looked untroubled in the first half of their reply, with captain Matthew Mason (30) looking assured as they reached 82-2 in the 19th over.

But his dismissal triggered their demise, with Saker (3-23), David Jones (3-26) and Matthew Jones (2-36) to the fore for the home side.