Hanley Castle & Upton 215-9, Canon Frome 219-7.

CANON Frome took on Crusader Worcestershire League Division Four South leaders Hanley Castle and Upton knowing that a win would close the gap and could potentially see them go top.

Frome won the toss and elected to bowl first with Richard Watkins and Andrew Smith opening up with Matt Morgan then taking a wicket with his first ball and Rogers taking wickets in consecutive overs, leaving the home side at 76-4.

Young spinner Stevie Wilson took two quick wickets as the home side launched a recovery.

They finished on 215-9 off the 50 overs with Frome confident of knocking off the runs. A solid start from Fortnam (18) and Backhouse (77) against some hostile opening bowling gave them a solid start before Fortnam and Styles fell in quick succession. Rogers (35) joined Backhouse at the crease, pushing the score to less than 100 required, before Backhouse became the third lbw victim of the afternoon.

Nick Evans (28) played well but a few late wickets meant a tense finish until Smith and Lloyd knocked off the runs with three wickets and five runs to spare.

Although not quite going top of the league, Frome are well positioned to continue their push for promotion.