Willow Cuts 248

Somerset Bridge 137

Twenty-two year-old colt Bergon Spencer blasted what is believed to be a new Western Counties record as Willow Cuts dethroned champions Somerset Bridge by 111 runs at White Hill Field on Saturday.

A relative unknown coming into the match, Spencer marked his arrival in grand style. The youngster cracked seven towering sixes and two fours in a whirlwind knock of 60 runs off 17 balls, an innings which ultimately proved to be the straw which broke Bridge's back.

"I just had a job to do and I managed to get it done," commented Spencer, shortly after he and one of Cuts' other heroes, Jacobi Robinson, led their team off the field.

"Their bowlers kept bowling the ball right where I like it, so I just took full advantage of the situation," he added with a smile.

The right-handed lower order bat came to the crease with Cuts at 179 for seven and featured in a breathtaking knock which will certainly go down as one of the fastest-ever half-centuries recorded on local soil, and one of the highest individual scores by a colt in the Western Counties.

"It was just my responsibility to take advantage of the situation that I was presented. It was my first 50 ever and really I don't know what to say at the moment," said Spencer, who, fittingly, wrapped up Cuts' win with a routine catch at long-on to dismiss Bridge's Denzil Dill.

The Cuts' player featured in two vital partnerships which swung the momentum back in his team's favour after Bridge threatened to dismiss the challengers for under 200 runs.

First, he and Charles (Bucky) Swan put on 46 for the eighth-wicket. The hard-hitting batsman then added a further 20 for the ninth wicket along with young Trevor Corday (two not out) before Curtis Jackson finally had him brilliantly stumped by Adrian Burrows. When the fireworks display was finally over, Cuts were in a commanding position at 245 for nine.

However, Spencer wasn't the only Cuts player to shine as Robinson, Reggie Tucker Jr and Wendell White also had a huge say in Bridge's demise.

Robinson, just back from injury and due to fly out with the Island's Under-19 squad on Wednesday, took four wickets for 30 runs off ten overs while Tucker executed two superb run outs which resulted in the crucial dismissals of Nakia Smith and Dean Stephens at a time when the home team appeared to be regrouping.

White, meanwhile, cracked a well deserved half century (53) which dug Cuts out of a hole after Bridge had them wobbling 85 for four.

The player/president stroked four fours and a six off 46 balls and added 67 runs along with Michael Corday (25) before the latter was trapped leg before by Bridge's 13-year-old colt Bilal Lambert, who enjoyed a successful Counties debut with the ball.

Lambert, who is also travelling to Canada with the Under-19 squad, grabbed two for 48 off six overs of right-arm spin.

Cuts' opener Dwight Basden weighed in with 25 runs at the top of the order.

Dill proved to be Bridge's best bowler, claiming three for 26, while Ryane Shepherd took two for 37 and Corvette Lambert two for 36. Bridge guest player Curtis Jackson took one wicket but at a costly 56 runs from six overs. Cuts were dismissed for 248 in 49.3 overs.

Asked to score at a run rate of 4.9 runs per over, Bridge opener Burrows (13) readily took up the challenge and mounted an early assault on the Cuts' attack..

However, it didn't take long before Robinson made the initial breakthrough bowling from the eastern end of the pitch. The Somerset Cup Match prospect first had Andrew (Wire) Wilson (0) beautifully bowled by a delivery which cut back sharply off the seam, Jackson (four) trapped leg before and Burrows also clean bowled to a swinging delivery.

Robinson polished off an impressive performance by having number nine bat Derek Hill (nine) superbly caught at first slip by skipper Richard Basden later on during the first over of his second spell.

Dill top scored for Bridge with 37 (two fours) while Shepherd batted equally patiently for 36 (four fours) off 42 balls.

"It just felt good to be back," said Robinson afterwards. "I just tried to come out here and have a good performance before I leave for Canada."

Robinson received solid support from Swan who bowled tidily for figures of one for 18. Trevor Corday took one for 22 and spinner Kevin Fubler one for 19.

Cuts will now take on Southampton Rangers in this weekend's second round.