In a top of the table clash in the WEPL Wiltshire Division Marlborough entertain Westbury at the Savernake Forest ground this Saturday. Both sides top the table on equal points and identical records having won seven and lost two each at the half way point of the season.
Marlborough lost the earlier season’s encounter at Westbury on the opening day of the season by 3 wickets despite a century from Marlborough captain Arran Dickinson on that day. Dickinson thinks that the clubs records at this point are a fair reflection of the two team’s potential this season.
“We always thought that Westbury in all likely hood were the team to beat this season and I have no doubt that if we do finish above them we will not be far off from winning the title this season. It looks to be a three horse race from here between the two of us and Trowbridge and whilst I don’t think a loss on Saturday would end either of our title aspirations a win would certainly give the winners an edge and the momentum in the title race.”
Dickinson will be looking to his inform batting unit to play a big part in this weekend’s game. The Marlborough batsmen have knocked up 4 centuries and 9 half centuries between them this season. Dickinson believes that the team is batting for each other and this has been a substantial contribution to the team’s success so far.
“We have seen the batsmen put together three 100 plus partnerships and fifteen of 50 plus so far this season with the runs coming across the board from the whole batting unit. We have currently 7 batsmen in the division’s top 30 run scorers and I firmly think this shows the depth of our batting.”
Dickinson also says the Bowling unit is contributing well and with 5 of the Marlborough front line bowlers also in the top 30 wicket takers it shows that Marlborough are not a one dimensional team.
Marlborough name a full strength side for this week’s game with the return of batsman Peter Day having now recovered from the leg injury suffered while batting at Winsley. Day has averaged 40 for the 1st team this season and has been part of the batting backbone with scores of 67 and 75 in recent weeks.
Marlborough also strengthen with the return of young seam bowler Dave West to give the Forest outfit a strong 6 man bowling attack all of whom have bowling averages of 25 or better.
Ben Head plays his 150th recorded league game for Marlborough on Saturday in which he has taken 365 wickets and scored over 2,500 runs. Many believe the real number of games played to be nearer 225 and 600 wickets as league records have only been kept since 2003 and Head made his 1st team debut in 1998.
