B&D Baber boosts Bradley Stoke’s bid to avoid the drop

ASH Baber boosted Bradley Stoke’s hopes of avoiding an instant return to Division One with terrific figures of 6-14 from 8.4 overs to help inspire a low-scoring two-wicket home victory over Old Bristolians in the Martin Berrill Bristol & District League.

The visitors, who lost the toss, were bowled out for 137 as Baber made inroads. Fin Yates top-scored on 43.

Bradley Stoke then edged their way to only a second win of the campaign after last season’s promotion to the Senior Division. Will Penny captured 3-27 and Owen Onslow top-scored on 21, while the extras column totalled 34, including 24 wides.

The South Gloucestershire side remain bottom of the table but are now just two points behind Portishead, who suffered a four-wicket reverse away to local rivals and new leaders Nailsea.

Frenchay, who started the day in pole position, restricted Shirehampton to 180-6. Veteran Andy Geddes top-scored on 48 as Keanan Mitchell claimed 3-41.

But batting was also a struggle for Frenchay, who folded to 95 all out. Left-arm spinner John Stilwell (3-20) and Lewis Palmer (3-22) were the pick of the Shire attack.

This game was switched to Clifton College because of the unsafe condition of Frenchay’s outfield following remedial work over the winter to the drainage system.

Officials are hopeful though that the sun-baked ground will be fit to host Frenchay 2nds’ Division Four derby clash with Bradley Stoke 2nds on Saturday as scheduled.

Frenchay, meanwhile, are now level on points with Bristol West Indian Phoenix who emerged three-wicket victors at Coalpit Heath. Jack Baber was the hero with an unbeaten 103 from 95 balls (eight fours, two sixes).

Pak Bristolians were involved in a second tie in seven weeks when they finished all square away to Timsbury.

Skipper Qasir Abass hit 42 in the visitors’ challenge of 175, as Ellis Hancock took 4-35, before Qasir Shahbaz (4-16 from nine overs) helped restrict Timsbury to 175-8.

Opener Andy Parkinson carried his bat for 101 off 109 balls (12 fours and a six) as Division One leaders Almondsbury were defeated by 51 runs at home to third-placed Keynsham 2nds.

Opener James Mitchell (73) topscored for the visitors, while England Over 60 spinner John Courtney finished with 4-26 to help Keynsham move to within six points of the top two as secondplaced Clevedon 2nds also lost, away to their Downend counterparts.

Former Bristol Rugby centre Nick Carpenter’s 99 lifted Clevedon to a total of 301-9 but Downend paced their reply perfectly, completing a thrilling one-wicket win with just two balls to spare.

Dan Semple’s 109 gave the home side hope as Andy Payne claimed 4-56 before the last-wicket pair of Joe Tolman (26) and Ollie Louch (6) blasted their way to the spoils.

Hambrook are off the foot of the table thanks to a seven-wicket success at Hanham, with Bitton now occupying last place following their eight-wicket reverse at Bristol YMCA, for whom the in-form Cyrus Shafi finished with 4-12 from nine overs.

James Carter’s burst of 5-27 helped pave the way for Division Two leaders Bedminster 2nds to brush past their OB Westbury counterparts by ten wickets, while Bristol Pakistanis remain second despite a 60-run loss away to Knowle 2nds.

Malik Haroon claimed a hat-trick en route to 5-20 as Knowle faded to 240 all out, but Neil Brown (5-36 and Ant Hardwell (3-32) then struck for the home side.

Ben Stitfall’s 135 was in vain for Division Three leaders Lodway who succumbed by three wickets at Long Ashton, while former skipper Jer Board batted all 45 overs for his 127 but Blagdon still lost by four wickets at home to West United.

Skipper Sivathas Balasingham starred for the visitors with an unbeaten 132 off 96 balls, hammering 16 fours and four sixes.