WITH the league match rained off on Saturday, Frocester crashed out of the National T20 at Pounds Close on Sunday, losing by five wickets to Tunbridge Wells.

In a disappointing and uncharacteristic batting performance, Frocester could only reach a total of 128-9. It must have been great entertainment for the crowd, with a six from the first ball of the innings, followed immediately by a run-out, reverse sweeps a-plenty, but the result was that Frocester were 40-3 after four overs and even though the run rate was high the loss of so many wickets early on, cost them dear in the final overs.

Sam Bracey batted well for 31 and Paul Muchall (25) and Tom Wand (24) nearly rebuilt the innings, but their demise meant that Frocester had to struggle to bat the full 20 overs, with tail-enders Drake and Cave just about making it through.

Frocester knew that 128 was nowhere near enough. Help was potentially at hand with rain sweeping across Pounds Close, but play resumed after tea, with Muchall the key man for Frocester. He duly delivered, taking 3-15, and with Wand holding a steepling catch off the bowling of Drake, Tunbridge had slumped to 29-4.

However, with batting in depth and Muchall completing his four over spell, the Tunbridge middle order gradually assumed control.

It was an unusual sight in club cricket, with rain threatening, to see the required Duckworth-Lewis total illuminated on the scoreboard.

Frocester were winning the game for the first 10 overs and they would have won if the forecast rain had arrived, but, it never did, and, under gloomy skies, Tonbridge strode to victory. David Smith, batting at seven, batting superbly, stroked 58 not out from 32 deliveries, to take them to victory with three overs to spare.

With Bath nearly winning on Saturday, rained off when in touching distance of victory, Frocester are now only seven points ahead of their great rivals, so Frocester now have two must-win games against Downend and Bridgwater to clinch the title.