Weather ultimate winner at weekend
As the weather wreaked havoc with the local fixtures on Saturday, both Bath and Lansdown lost vital ground to the West of England Premier One leaders when looking well placed.
Potterne have moved level with Clevedon at the top after both were able to complete their matches and win, while Bath and Lansdown had to settle for bowling points before their games were abandoned.
Bath had travelled to Downend in a match that lasted 20 overs but Bradley Porteous had regained his scintillating form in claiming 3-17 from just four overs, alongside Paul Muchall’s 2-13, as the hosts were struggling on 65-6 - earning Bath nine points before the weather had the final say.
That was one point more than Lansdown who were in a similar position at home to Chippenham and managed to bowl just 17.3 overs. Brad Evans was in the midst of tearing through the order, having already claimed 5-26 as Chippenham rocked on 53-5. Bath now stand 11 points ahead of Lansdown but have slipped to 16 points off the leaders.
Bath 2nd were able to complete their Prem 2 Bris/som at home to North Perrott in a basement battle which left Bath further cut adrift at the bottom. Having asked Perrott to bat, Bath were looking good when restricting their visitors to 29-4 before a recovery mission saw the hosts needing 126 to win in their 26-overs-a-side match. Louis Brown doing the most damage with 4-25.
But no Bath batsman was able to reach 20 in reply, extra top-scoring on 24, before the hosts were bowled out for 103 a ball into the 25th over.
Prem 2 Glos/wilts leaders Corsham were both cursing and celebrating the weather in equal measure after only gaining four points in a surprise rain-affected defeat against Burbage & Easton Royal. Tom Foley claimed 3-7 for Corsham as Burbage reached 167-6 before their innings ended a ball into the 31st over.
Corsham were then give 181 to reach in 26 overs via Duckworth/ Lewis and eventually fell 55 runs short on 125-9 with Josef Breet the only one to reach 20 with a knock of 54 from 50 balls which included nine fours and a six. Fortunately though for Corsham, they only dropped five points as Thornbury’s match at Biddestone had to be abandoned and actually gained a point over third-place Goatacre who also suffered defeat.
Marshfield’s match at Frocester lasted just nine overs. Elijah Samuel was unbeaten on 15 as Marshfield managed 26-1. Keynsham were rocking on 34-4 in Bristol & North Somerset Division against Bristol & West Indian Phoenix before their match was abandoned after 8.3 overs, Antony Cains was unbeaten on 21 as he looked set to begin a recovery of sorts.
Corsham 2nd managed 20 overs at Westbury & District in Wiltshire Division. Martin Roberts (18*) and Josh Stanley (16*) were beginning to build a partnership with Corsham on 57-3 before the game had to be abandoned.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Hinton Charterhouse’s lead at the top of Division One was cut down to just four points after Beckington took full advantage of Charterhouse’s abandonment. They looked well-placed to win their match at Burbage & Easton Royal as Michael Abington’s 4-24, ably assisted by two wickets apiece for Conor Grant, Henry Cheal and James Jacob, saw Burbage bowled out for 117 but the sides didn’t return for the second innings.
Bear Flat were able to face an over in their reply at Purton. The hosts looked in control though after posting 227-5, with Bear scoring five off their only over before play had to be stopped.
Only 20.2 overs were played at Box as they hosted Trowbridge 2nd in Division Two. Jordan Welsby was looking well-placed on 48 not out before play was stopped with Box on 89-2. Bradford on Avon topped that with just 13 overs managed against Biddestone 2nd, who looked in good nick on 77-1.
There was play at Combe Down as they were beaten by secondplace White Horse. James Mitchell opened well for Combe with 46 before Alistair Davies added an unbeaten 55 to see the hosts to 170-6 off 34 overs.
White Horse proved largely unmovable though in response and they reached the target with two balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.
There was little action in Division Four with four abandonments and a concession. Second-place Marshfield 2nd managed 19.2 overs of bowling against Marlborough, Matt Cox claiming 2-11, as the visitors stood on 55-2. Only 9.4 overs took place at Hinton Charterhouse 2nd as 20 from Tom Fines saw Corsham 3rd to 39-2 - Chris Knight claiming both of the wickets.
Chippenham 4th were able to play out their innings against Bathford in Division Six. Adam Brunton claimed 3-47 alongside two wickets apiece for Ben Kirby-woollett and Jujhar Garcia as Chippenham posted 166-9 in their 45 overs. But the rain prevented Bathford from coming out to reply.
There also little action in Division
7W with only one game being completed. Marshfield 3rd bowled 30 overs against Beehive Southwick who were teetering on 98-4 as Andy Elliott, Charlie Stevens and W Lingard each picked up a wicket. Only 12.5 overs could be managed at Winsley 3rd as they reached 32-1 against Bradford on Avon 2nd, Ben Newmarch-christensen gaining the only snare.
All four games were abandoned in Division 8W. Darren Sutton reached 18 not out opening for Bathford 2nd as they reached 31-2 in just eight overs against Lacock 2nd. Matthew Angell had taken 2-23 as Potterne 4th sat on 75-3 after 23.3 overs against Corsham 4th.
■ BRISTOL & DISTRICT LEAGUE Timsbury managed just ten overs in the Senior Division against Coalpit Heath and, having lost Greg Passingham for a duck, stood on 21-1 with Mark Sage unbeaten on 14.
Keynsham were able to face 28 overs and were struggling on 97-5 after three of the top four batsmen returned for ducks. Sam Parsons added some respectability with 42 alongside Jack Tweedie’s 32.
Bath 3rd were looking well placed to close the gap to safety in Division One. They were hosting Brislington 2nd and openers Ishmael Clarke (24*) and Thiaan Aspeling (41*) seemed stable on 77-0 after 14 overs.
Second Division leaders Hampset’s match at Backwell Flax Bourton was cancelled without a ball being bowled, while Bitton managed 10.2 overs against Cleeve who stood on 52-1 - Alex Garland taking the only wicket. Only 8.4 overs were bowled at Bohemians who managed 49-1 against Lansdown 2nd, with William Goymer snagging the wicket.
Not a single ball was bowled in Division Five, with all games being cancelled due to the weather including Bath 4th’s trip to Brislington 3rd. It was the same story for Timsbury 2nd in Division Six at BAC.
Keynsham 3rd would have been glad of the rain in Division Seven as their quest for promotion was being severely hampered at Carsons & Mangotsfield. The visitors were reeling on 46-5 after 18.3 overs, Richard Pannell top-scoring with 26.
Bitton 2nd took advantage of the weather to go joint-top of Division Eight after victory at Chipping Sodbury 3rd. Having been asked to bat, opener Andy Price (42) was struggling for support until Lee Swindlehurst (54*) and wicket-keeper Charlie Perkins (36) kicked on to see Bitton to 186-5. Tim Patten and Dennis Mullings then took three wickets each to help bowl Chipping Sodbury out for 127 to win by 59 runs.
Hampset 2nd sat well-placed on 73-1 after 13 overs against Alveston. After losing Matt Hill for nine, wicket-keeper Scott Cotello (24*) and Nicos Haralabidis (27*) were batting sensibly before the heavens opened. Saltford Fairway made a great start against Bristol Asians, reducing their visitors to 28-3.
Frys were in trouble at Frenchay 3rd in Division 11, struggling to reach three figures on 63-7 after 21.1 overs. Neil Sinclair top-scored on 20 for the side struggling second from bottom.
Timsbury 3rd were very much in control against their Hampset counterparts in Division 14.
Neil Hulford had snagged 2-6 alongside a wicket apiece for Oliver Davis and Seb Nix as they reduced Hampset to 31-4 from just 13 overs, Sarfraz Mahar top-scored on 15. Lansdown 3rd’s Division 30 trip to Knowle 4th was cancelled without play.