B&D Deepak’s dazzling 98 sinks Bohemians

DEEPAK Bhadri thumped an explosive 98 to put Almondsbury on course for an 80-run victory at Bohemians in Division Two of the Martin Berrill Bristol & District League.

The opener crunched six fours and nine sixes from 98 balls before he was held off Kris Connabeer, totally dominating his side’s challenge of 176-7 in a game reduced to 33 overs per side because of the weather. Bohs, in reply, were always battling against an Almondsbury attack led by Joe Black (3-13) and Aaron Jones (2-24) before Jack Kewley (4-4 from four overs) made his presence felt.

Mike Hooper (4-18) and Neil Lenihan (3-29) shone in Portishead’s four-wicket success at Cleeve, while Matt Edwards (78 not out) guided Bitton to a fivewicket win at home to Backwell Flax Bourton.

Senior Division pacesetters Frenchay completed a home three-wicket victory against Pak Bristolians. The visitors, who won the toss, struggled in the damp conditions to reach 87 all out, thanks mainly to captain Shazil Mustafa’s determined 44 at the top of the order before he fell victim to Ben Helps, who finished with an excellent 6-13 off eight overs. Batting was just as testing for Frenchay who needed 39 overs to get over the line, Eddie Williams dropping anchor for an invaluable 27 off 56 to deny Ismail Zia (3-18) and Babar Parvaiz (3-24).

On a day made for bowlers, Connor Crane stood tall with 106 for Clevedon 2nds, who completed a 114-run home success over Claverham, Jake Brand following up with a haul of 5-21. Tom Laver’s 83 was crucial for Bradley Stoke, who eased in by 129 runs at Timsbury.

In Division One, Jamie Studley’s 4-12 helped clinch Winterbourne 2nds an 18-run home victory over their Knowle counterparts while Rob Knight’s 4-12 put Hanham on course for a four-wicket home defeat of Whitchurch.

Tom Virgo finished with 4-30 for Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nds, who completed a 44-run home success over Bedminster 3rds in Division Three, where Edin Ahmed’s unbeaten 48 saw Hambrook to a seven-wicket home victory against St Mary Redcliffe.

Sol Thompson, meanwhile, completed his maiden century, finishing on 109 for Timsbury 2nds, who went on to trump their Almondsbury counterparts by 86 runs in Division Six.

In Division Eight, Stuart Rutter (78) and opener James Wigzell (48) shared a long unbeaten partnership for Hambrook 2nds, who chased down a target of 156 away to Bristol Asians for the loss of only one wicket.