AFTER avoiding defeat for the seventh consecutive match last week Watchet beat local rivals Bagborough by 33 runs to record their first home victory of the season.
Batting first Watchet made a good start with many batsmen using the experienced Rod Richards as a partner. Richards was the back bone of the innings, scoring an important half century on his return to the first team after an absence of nearly ten years.
Both Rod Richards and Nick Criddle pushed the run rate alone and by the time Rod Richards was out Watchet were set for a big score as they were on 110-4 from 31 overs.
However, Bagborough had other ideas, especially Rob Chiplin as he ripped out Watchet's middle order by taking four wickets in two overs, reducing the seasiders to 116-8.
Watchet's man of the match Andrew Woodward then stroked the ball to all parts of the ground in his score of 37 and pushed Watchet's total to 167-9.
Rob Chiplin finished with 5-23 and was backed up by Martin King, 2-31 from 12 overs.
Bagborough's reply was as good as Watchet's with 40 runs coming from 16 overs. Then Lian Woolgrove made two quick breakthroughs to give Watchet hope.
After Matt Lovell finished his tidy spell of eight overs for 20 runs the pacey Andrew Woodward was brought on and took a wicket in his first over and proceeded to take two more in a seven over spell.
Bagborough were in trouble at 71-6 but Chiplin and Dunston made a fight of it and then look for the victory. The turning point came when Nick Criddle ran out Dunston, who was going for a third run.
This wicket signalled the return of Woodward and with the light failing he took the two remaining wickets in his second over to finish with a five wicket haul for the first time, giving watchet a timely second victory of the season.
Watchet: 167-9 (R Richards 55, A Woodward 37, N Criddle 32, R Chiplin 5-23, M King 2-31).
Bagborough: 134 (A Dunston 28, R Chiplin 24, R Evans 23, A Woodward 5-16, L Woolgrove 2-21).
Points: Watchet 24 Bagborough 8.