Timsbury made it two wins out of two with a comfortable six-wicket win away to Pak Bristolians in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. It was made possible by a disciplined bowling and fielding display followed by a masterful undefeated innings of 97 from opener Mark Sage.
The Bristol side who had been champions two years ago began well enough with an opening stand of 46 but once the dangerous Shazail Mustafa had fallen to Sam Hoddinott for 22 the home side lost wickets at regular intervals. Fellow opener Saqib Butt showed admirable patience for a dogged 43 and Qasir Abbas (25) threatened briefly before falling to a spectacular catch by stand-in keeper Dan Hill. Hoddinott (2-25), Jon Strand (2-25), Neil Hucker (2-32) and skipper Steve Clothier (2-35) all bowled well and the Bristolians found it difficult to breach some astute field placings.
In reply Timsbury lost Gary Pearcy and Jack Williams early on and Sage and Kevin Sibley had to battle hard initially against some probing spin bowling from Saqib Butt and Qasir Abbas. Gradually however, the two batsmen got the upper hand and a couple of big overs saw Timsbury well on their way. The two batsmen added 101 and when Sibley was adjudged lbw for an invaluable 24 the visitors were nearly there. The only remaining question was whether Sage would be rewarded with a well deserved century but in the end the total was reached with the opener just three runs short.
Malcolm Tucker