Wet weather halts penultimate game
Much like the start of the local cricket season, the campaign is ending in a rain-affected fashion with plenty of cancellations across the board.
Any outside hopes Lansdown or Bath may have had in the West of England Premier League Premier One Division title race came to end as both of their matches at home to Taunton Deane and away to Bedminster respectively were cancelled without a ball being bowled. While the top two, Clevedon and Potterne were able to play their matches to a conclusion and record victories to move over 40 points in front.
Bath’s attentions will be turning to the National KO semi-final on Sunday where they play host to Brentwood. Bath had beaten Weybridge on August 15 by 74-runs to secure their place in the final four after Bradley Porteous continued his fine season with 75 as James Arney and George Axtell claimed three wickets apiece.
Prem 2 Bris/som’s bottom side Bath 2nd also had their game at home to eighth-placed Ilminster cancelled ahead of the final game of the season on Saturday, although their fate has been known for some time.
Despite Marshfield’s game at Biddestone in Prem 2 Glos/wilts also falling by the wayside, Corsham kept themselves in the title hunt with a victory against bottom side Dumbleton in a game reduced to 21 overs.
Opting to field, Matt Henley recorded 3-28 to help restrict Dumbleton to 125-5. After losing wicket-keeper opener Charley Reed for just six, Tom Horrell (28) looked to build the innings before Liam Hughes batted through for an unbeaten 47 to help Corsham over the line halfway through the 17th over.
They matched leaders Thornbury’s performance to remain a point behind, but also level with Goatacre in a three-way battle for the trophy. Corsham will travel to local rivals Marshfield while Thornbury host eighth-placed Hatherley & Reddings and Goatacre entertain fifth-placed Burbage & Easton Royal.
The only game to take place in Bristol & North Somerset Division was at Keynsham as they hosted ninth-placed Old Bristolians Westbury in a 20-over match. Keynsham were put into bat and lost their openers early before Ben Ackland (58) and Russ Wakefield (26) steadied the ship to help post 133-5.
Westbury managed to reach the target with four wickets and one over in hand to move up to eighth and take full advantage of the other cancellations. Jonty Flynn managed 2-23 for Keynsham.
Corsham 2nd’s trip to Swindon in Wiltshire Division was another casualty of the weather.
■ WILTSHIRE LEAGUE Hinton Charterhouse were arguably one of the biggest losers to weather as their lead at the top of Division One was cut to three points ahead of Saturday’s final day. Charterhouse’s trip to Marlborough was cancelled, as was Bear Flat’s match against Winsley, however second-placed Beckington were able to play and scored a seven wicket victory to set up a tantalising last match.
Bradford on Avon’s match against Trowbridge 2nd in Division Two was also cancelled, while Box suffered a heavy defeat at bottom side Great Bedwyn.
In a game reduced to 32 overs, Great Bedwyn managed 175-6 as Andy Hamilton claimed 3-42 and K Evans 2-15. Apart from opener Gerald Hayward (24), Box’s reply never got going with no other double score - apart from 18 extras - as the visitors were skittled for 79 to lose by 96 runs.
Combe Down’s trip to Swindon 3rd in Division Three also bit the dust, as did Corsham 3rd’s match against Ramsbury, Hinton Charterhouse 2nd’s tie against Wanborough and Marshfield 2nd’s hosting of Sherston Magna in Division Four.
Bathford’s trip to Malmesbury 2nd went the same in Division Six, with no play managed across the board. It was the same result in
Division 7W, meaning Bradford on Avon 2nd’s trip to Calne 2nd and Marshfield 3rd’s entertaining of Devizes 3rd failed to take place, neither did Bathford 2nd’s match against Potterne 4th nor Corsham 4th’s trip to Calne 3rd in Division 8W.
■ BRISTOL & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Timsbury produced a fine all-round performance to beat Clevedon 2nd by 20 runs at home in a game reduced to 25-overs in the Senior Division to move up to fourth ahead of the final game of the season this weekend.
After being put into bat, Timsbury looked to the experienced pairing of Mark Sage and Graeme Webb to give them a good start and they added 51 for the first wicket before Sage was bowled for 29. After a circumspect start, Webb kicked into gear with two sixes in a crucial knock of 38 and, with some good running at the close of the innings and a generous 25 extras, Timsbury ended on 128-5. Jack Banks (3-24) was Clevedon’s most successful bowler.
Some disciplined bowling and excellent fielding saw Timsbury keep a tight control on affairs throughout the Clevedon innings. Astute field placings reduced boundaries to a minimum, just four in total, as Clevedon struggled to match the run rate.
Teenager Oli Hulbert continued to impress with his 3-22, aided by a superb leg-side stumping by Adam
Brinkworth to dismiss the danger- ous John Bachelor. There was also a three-wicket haul for skipper Jon Strand while opener Connor Crane top-scored for Clevedon with 25 as they ended on 108-8.
Saturday’s game saw spectators able to use the John Newth memorial seat for the first time. John was President of the club from 19822018 and his wife Betty came along two days prior to present the seat to
the community. She was thanked by chairman Ben Hosford who praised John for the big contribution he had made to the club.
Timsbury end their season at runaway league champions Bedminster 2nd, while the Second Side host Bristol United Banks in a game that could see them lift the Division Six title. The Third Team entertain Golden Hill 6th with hopes of promotion in Division 14.