Brilliant Bobby claims nine wickets in Downend win
BOBBY Naeem finished with career-best figures of 9-22, including a hat-trick, to pave the way for Downend to complete a stunning ten-wicket home hammering of Taunton Deane in WEPL Premier One.
The ball swung immediately for the 26-year-old who captured the first two wickets to fall after his side won the toss.
Opening partner Matt Jackson then got in on the act with a dismissal before Naeem remarkably ran through the rest of the shellshocked opposition who were shot out for just 43 in less than 11 overs.
Naeem, whose previous best league figures for Downend were 5-43 back in 2015, hit the stumps five times and captured two lbws on a day to remember.
Reflecting on the enigma of producing such an unplayable spell on a day which was hotter than a blazing chimney, he said: “It was pretty incredible. We were on a fresh pitch and the ball was moving around quite a bit... it was one of those days when everything I tried came off.”
Naeem was also quick to pay tribute to opening partner Jackson, who finished with 1-16 at the other end. He added: “I’ve learned so much from Matt about how to use the new ball, and it’s great to bowl with him because he gives the opposition so little.”
In a strange coincidence, Jackson took 9-27 in 2019 against Taunton St Andrews with Naeem claiming the tenth wicket. He said: “I can’t imagine that any two bowlers have ever shared all ten wickets in that same way!”
Downend, who began the day bottom of the table, needed only seven overs to wrap up the spoils and a 2pm finish against Deane, with Ben Ford unbeaten on 32 as his side moved up to eighth.
Leaders Clevedon made it four wins in a row with a battling threewicket success at Bedminster.
The home side were bowled out for 181, as former captain Garreth Elphick (42) and Mark Coombes (35) led the way against Cameron Harding (3-30) and Dan Williams (3-36, both from nine overs).
Bedminster then appeared to be in the driving seat as Clevedon slid to 63-5 before Harry Ellison (74) and Will Plummer (41) changed the momentum with a stand of 92 to deny Tom Price (4-32).
Next up for Clevedon is a trip to Cheltenham, who suffered an 18-run reverse at Bridgwater, while champions Potterne are up to third after skittling Chippenham for just 60 ahead of an eight-wicket win.
Bath emerged 35-run victors away to neighbours Lansdown.
» Brothers Marc (67) and Dan Lezar (56) shared an opening stand of 130 for Thornbury, who chased down a target of 266 away to Corsham in Premier Two Glos/Wilts.
Praneel Choughule (42 not out), Josh Riggs (37) and Danny Slade (26 not out) also played their part in getting Thornbury over the line to maintain third place.
» Rockhampton made it two wins in a row in the Gloucestershire division with a 65-run home triumph over Frocester 2nds. Rowan Cartlidge (69) and wicketkeeper George Driver-Dickerson (61) lifted their side to 260-7 before Frocester came up well short, with Matt Belbin, Jamie Wakefield and Martin Cropper taking two wickets each.